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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "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)
• 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.
  • majozialex@webmail.co.za

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:37:01 +0200
Subject: Hi


Hello,

I am Dr. Alex Majozi, Branch Manager, Old Mutual Group, Johannesburg South
Africa. This is a very confidential proposition for you. On December 29,
2006, Carl Remmer, 62 years old from Sun City, Arizona, U.S.A, made a
numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at
US$10.000,000.00 (Ten Million U.S Dollars only) in my branch.

Upon maturity on Dec. 30th 2007 as his Credit Officer, I sent a routine
notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, we
sent a reminder and finally I discovered from his employees, that Carl
Remmer was one of the passengers who died in an ill-fated plane crash.

Investigations, and all attempts to trace his next of kin were fruitless.
Again,I made further investigation and discovered that Mr. Carl did not
declare any kin or relations in all his official documents, including his
Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. This sum of US$10.000,000.00 is still
sitting in my Bank and no one has come nor will ever come forward to claim
it. According to the International Banking ethics, codes and Laws, at the
expiration of 3(Three) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the
South African Government if nobody applies to claim the fund.

Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in
as the next of kin to Mr. Carl. This is simple, I will like you to respond
immediately. The money will be paid into your account for us to share in the
ratio of 70% for me and 30% for you. Upon your response, I shall then
provide you with more details and relevant informations. Please send to me
your confidential telephone and fax numbers for easy communication through
my private email address; majozialex@webmail.co.za.

You should observe utmost confidentiality and be rest assured that this
transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall require
your assistance to invest my share in your country. I must not fail to tell
you that my lawyer friend is working on all the legallities involved to see
that we dont fall foul of the law.

Awaiting your urgent reply.

Best Regards,

Dr. Alex Majozi.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam