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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: joseh_poon@live.com
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:38:15 -0000
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL



--
Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Mr Joseph Poon Managing Director and Deputy Chief Executive of the Hang
Seng Bank Ltd. Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client Mr.Fayez Abdulaziz
Mohammed who was a business merchant and a contractor with the Iraqi
Government but a citizen of SAUDI ARABIA,Made a numbered fixed deposit for 24
calendar months(2Years), with a value of Twenty Two million Four Hundred
Thousand United State Dollars only in my branch. Upon maturity several
notices was sent to him, even during the war which began in 2003. Again after
the war another notification was sent and still no response came from him. We
later found out that Mr.Fayez Abdulaziz Mohammed along with his wife and only
daughter had been killed during the war in a bomb blast that hits His
Resident.

After further investigation it was also discovered that Mr.Fayez Abdulaziz
Mohammed did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including
the paper work of his bank deposit. And he also confided in me the last time
he was at my office that no one except me knew of his deposit in my bank. So,
Twenty Two million Four Hundred Thousand United State Dollars is still lying
in my bank and no one will ever come forward to claim it. What bothers me
most is that according to the laws of my country at the expiration 5 years
and six months the funds will revert to the ownership of the Hong Kong
Government if nobody applies to claim the funds. Against this backdrop, my
suggestion to you is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand as the next
of kin to Mr.Fayez Abdulaziz Mohammed so that you will be able to receive
his funds for us.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE:
I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall
come out successful. I have an attorney that will prepare the necessary
document that will back you up as the next of kin to Mr.Fayez Abdulaziz
Mohammed,with the information you had provided the attorney will commence his
job. After you have been made the next of kin, the attorney will also fill in
for claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and letter of
probate in your favour for the move of the funds to an account that will be
provided by you.

There is no risk involved at all in this matter, as we are going to adopt a
legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the necessary documents.
Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this
issue. However, I would like to be sure of your willingness, trustworthiness
and commitment to execute this transaction with me as i cannot afford to
compromise these virtues.Considering the money involved it is necesary for me
to be sure of the person to whom I will be entrusting this transaction as my
trust is not given out lightly. I need to be convinced that you are a matured
person with some intergrity.Furthermore, if we follow up this transaction
diligently it would be completed within 8 working days.What I expect from you
is trust and commitment, I want this large sum of money transfered with your
assistance.I want to know if you are willing to follow up this business
seriously before I can give you more details about this transaction,I shall
be waiting for your response and assurance.Please do send me your detals
Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.Email me at
joseh_poon@live.com

Kind Regards
Mr Joseph Poon

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam