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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:
  • "million us 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)
  • "% will be for you" (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Claudia McVeigh <sirbeneditpeter01@live.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:59:46 -0400
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION IS NEEDED///

WORLD BANK
ANNEX OFFICE NIGERIA.

 

RE: USD3.MILLION OFFICIAL PAYMENT NOTIFICATION .

 

Attn: Beneficiary.

 

My name is Sir Benedit Peter. World Bank Switzerland delegate to  Nigeria  attached to Unity Bank Of Nigeria Plc .to monitor all foreign payments from Nigeria due to high level of corrupt practices that is going on within some top Government officials and financial institutions in Nigeria. I arrived here six months ago and have since recorded 20 foreign beneficiaries receiving their payment through this office. This is because, before I arrived here, the International Body called the attention of the President of Nigeria and gave him mandate to pay part-payment to all foreigners that are yet to receive their over due funds.

 

The President of Nigeria in his quest to sanities the nation of corruption mediated the Unity Bank Nig  Plc   to pay all foreign beneficiaries concerned the sum of US$3.5Million representing part-payment of overdue contract/inheritance claim. I personally compiled the names of those that will receive their payment through this office, and you were picked along the other eleven foreign beneficiaries in this 2nd phase of payment approval.
Note:That this $3 million us dollars belongs to one of the late customer of Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Charles  Luna W Bush, who died since, and has nobody to claim his money so i want to present you as the next of kin and beneficiary to the money so that when the money is transfered to your specified bank account and both of us will share the money: 50% will be for me while 45% will be for you and 5% will be to settle any expenses that may come up during transfer because as you know ,they is no way this money can be transfered without both of us spending little money.

 

Kindly send me the following informations so that i will include your name in Unity Bank Plc computer data base system as the next of kin /beneficiary to the money{$6 million usd}.

 

Your Name in Full...............
Your Contact Address...............
Your Telephone Number............
Age..............................
Occupation.....................
 
PAYMENT OPTIONS:   1  BANK-TO-BANK TRANSFER, 2. CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT,

 

Immediately I confirm your choice of payment from the above 2 options, I will authorize the processing/release of your fund to you within 3 working days.  Also be informed that I will soon be going back to my base in the Switzerland and I want to keep a Legacy so that I will be remembered after I have left this office.
 
 .
Send your urgent reply to my box:sirbeneditpeter@live.com.
 
Yours in service,
 
Sir Benedit Peter.
 
 

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam