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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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • samhardy31@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: samhardy_115@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2008 09:40:55 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: GOOD DAY


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: samhardy31@yahoo.com



- Good day.My name is Mr.sam hardy, a Banker and accountant with the Guaranty Trust BANK Plc.I am the personal accounts manager to Mr. Robert N.Steve , who used to work with an oil servicing company here in Nigeria. My client, his wife, and their three children were involved in the Kenya Airways crash in the coasts of Abidjan in January 2007 in which all passengers on board died.Since then I have made several inquiries to embassies to locate any of my clients extended relatives but all my effort has not been successful. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his last name over the Internet, to see if I could locate any member of his family, which was also unsuccessful, which is the reason I contacted you. The deceased client has an account valued to ($ 12.5 million US Dollars).The management of our bank have issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or the bank will declare the account unserviceable and thereby send the funds to the bank treasury. Since I have not been successful in locating the relatives of the deceased, I will seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to Late Mr. Robert N.Steve, since I can not locate any of his relatives, so that the proceeds of this account valued at ($ 12.5 million US dollars) can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money amicable. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.that will protect you from any breach of the law. In your reply, If you can handle this deal with me, reach me now for more details as follows.Your Full Name:YOur telephone Number:Your address:Your Age:Sincerely,Mr.sam hardy

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam