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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Fredrick <z772l8@gmail.com>
Reply-To: fredtiko0009@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 17:27:11 -0700
Subject: Re: message


I am the bank manager of standard trust bank plc of Nigeria. I will like to
do a very brief business with you, there is a dormant account in my bank
with a credit balance of (usd$18.350.000.00) eighteen million three hundred
and fifty thousand united state dollars, which has been dormant for about
five years now. On my further investigation, I discovered that the owner of
this account, a foreigner Dr. Alfred Hamid died also five years ago in a
motor accident in his country Saudi Arabia and that he left no beneficiaries
and next of kin for the account, I believe he was hiding the source of the
money from his government, his company was into oil business, Gonzalez oil
co. Ltd
what I needed from you is to use your name as the next of kin to this
account of late Dr Hamid and then inherit the money, if you can come forward
as the next of kin and claim this money, i will use my position as the
manager of this bank and give clearance for the release of this money to you
it will be transferred to your account from the account here, that is after
all procedures has been completed in our bank, i will supply you with all
the necessary information you need for the release of this funds when you
reply and have introduced yourself to me very well. I will give you 30% and
take 65% while the remaining 5% is for both expenses incurred in this
transaction. Handle this business with confidentiality and as soon as you
contact me it will help to stop further contacts. I will like to hear little
stories about yourself i.e. what you do or your occupation, telephone
number, address etc. Your immediate response will be appreciated.
Regards

Fred

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam