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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "remmitance department" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "remmitance department" (this email uses bad English)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +22998568843 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Azumah Williams" <azumah14@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:53:24 +0100
Subject: I AWAIT YOUR RESPONSE


Auditing and Accounting Unit
Foreign Operations Department
Credit BankBenin,Cotonou Branch
Republic of Benin.
Direct Tel:+229 98568843

Dear Friend

I am Mr.Azumah Williams,The Auditor in charge ofForeign Remmitance
Department of Credit Bank Benin in the Commercialcity of Cotonou,Benin
Republic.

This is a very confidentialproposition for you.On Sept 21st 2003,an Importer
of Textiles andAutomobiles for the past Thirteen years,Mr.Brett Harwood made
a numberedtime (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months,valued at
US$18.7musd(Eighteen million seven hundred thousand United States Dollars)
in mybranch. Upon maturity on Sept 20th 2004 as his Credit Officer,I sent
aroutine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply.After
amonth,we sent a reminder and finally I discovered from hisemployees,that
Mr.Brett Harwood was one of the passengers who died withhis entire family in
the ill-fated plane crash involving a boeing 727UTA Chartered Flight that
took off from Cotonou Benin Republic andcrashed into Atlantic Ocean on
thursday 25th December 2003.

Forfurther details of the Plane Crash,PleaseVisit
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/index.htmlFurtherinvestigations,and
all attempts to trace his next of kin
wasfruitless.Again,I made further investigation and discovered thatMr.Brett
Harwood did not declare any next of kin or relations in all hisofficial
documents,including his Bank Deposit paper work in my Bank.This sum of
US$18.7 million USD is still sitting in my Bank no one willever come forward
to claim it.According to the International Bankingethics,codes and Laws,at
the expiration of 5 (Five) years,the money willrevert to the ownership of
the Benin Government if nobody applies toclaim the fund.

Consequently, my proposal is that I will like youas a foreigner to stand in
as the next of kin to Mr.Brett Harwood.Thisis simple,I will like you to
respond immediately with your full namesand contact informations so as I
will send to you a specimen copy of anapplication form which you will refill
and send to the bank puttingclaim over the said balance with the bank as the
bonafide next of kin tothe deceased.

The money will be paid into your account for us toshare in the ratio of 45%
for me and 45% for you while 5% will be setaside for any expenses that may
arise in the process of transfering thisfund into your choosen/nominated
bank account you wish to receive it and5% to the motherless and the needy in
your country. Upon your response,I shall then provide you with more details
and relevant informations.

Please send to me your confidential telephone and fax numbers foreasy
communication , oral discussion and more directives on what next todo. You
should observe utmost confidentiality and be rest assured thatthis
transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shallrequire
your assistance to invest my share in your country which youwill be the
arrow head of the investment. I must not fail to tell youthat this
transaction is totally risk free and legitimate. Awaiting yoururgent reply.

Thanks and GOD bless.

Azumah Williams

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam