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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348033521680 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Efosa M Chambers" <barristermichealefosa@msn.com>
Reply-To: efosaprivate@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2006 11:06:26 +0000
Subject: Re:18-02-06

FROM THE DESK OF MICHEAL EFOSA
EFOSA LAW CHAMBERS
LEGAL SOLICITORS/PRIVATE LAWYER
23 AKPAMBGO STREET
LAGOS-NIGERIA.
Phone: 234-8033521680
 
Hello My Good Friend,
 
RE: TRANSFER OF $5 MILLION US DOLLARS OF LATE {ENGR.PALMER}
 
I am Barrister Micheal Efosa, a solicitor at law,personal attorney to Engr. F.A. Palmer, a national of your country, who used to work with Shell Development Company in Nigeria. Here in after shall be referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2004, my client,his wife and their only daughter were involved in a car accident along Port-Harcourt express Road.
 
All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy here to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.
 
After these several unsuccessful attempts,I decided to track his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.I have contacted you to assist in repartrating the fund
valued at US$5 million left behind by my client before it gets confisicated or declared unserviceable by the [CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA] where this huge amount were deposited.
 
The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have his account confisicated within the next twenty one official working days.
 
Since I have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives for over two years now, I seek the consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you.Therefore, on receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the sharing ratio and modalities for transfer.
 
I have all necessary information and legal documents needed to back you up for claim. All I require from you is your honest co-operation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee that this will be
executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
 
Please when you receive this letter. Kindly send me e-mail for more details.
 
Kindest Regard.
 
Barrister Micheal Efosa
Principle Lawyer

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam