419 scam: "Charles Brown" <charlesbrown@yahoo.com> FROM: Mr Charles Brown

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "calvary greetings" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Charles Brown" <charlesbrown@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: godbless010@sify.com
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 11:00:20 +0300
Subject: FROM: Mr Charles Brown

FROM: Mr Charles Brown
Audit and Accounting Officer
BONDBANK BENIN , Rue du Gouverneur Bayol,
01 BP 1280-Cotonou

Calvary Greetings,

I am Mr. Charles Brown Audit Manager BONDBANK BENIN . In the capital city
of Cotonou Benin republic, and assistance, this is a very confidential
proposition for you. On April 21st 1999, A Swedish Oil
consultant/contractor with the Benenoise Solid Minerals Corporation,
Mr.Soren Anderson made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve
calendar months, valued at US$18,000,000.00 (Eighteen Million Dollars
only) in my branch. Upon maturity on November 20th 2003 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 contract employers, the Benenoise Solid Minerals Corporation said
that Mr.Soren Anderson died on auto accident with his entire family.

Further investigations and all attempts to trace his next of kin were
fruitless. Again, I made further investigation and discovered that
Mr.Soren Anderson did not declare any kin or relations in all his official
documents,including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. This sum of
US$18,000,000.00 is still sitting in my Bank No one will ever come forward
to claim it.According to the International Banking ethics, codes and Laws,
at the expiration of 7(Two) years, the money will revert to the ownership
of the Benin 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.Soren.

This is simple, I will like you to respond immediately with your full
names and address so that we will prepare the necessary documents and
affidavits that will put you in place as the next of kin. The money will
be paid into your account for us to share in the ratio of 70% for me and
some of my colleagues who are aware of this transaction and 25% for you
and 5% for Expenses Incurred in the course of the transaction There is no
risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by my
colleagues and with my position as the Foreign Remittance Director
guarantees the successful execution of this transaction.Upon your
response, I shall then provide you with more details and relevant
documents that will help you understand the transaction.

Please send me your confidential telephone and fax numbers for easy
communication. 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.Waiting for your urgent response.

Remain Bless.
Mr. Charles Brown

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