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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • bajz44@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "BARRISTER. JOHNSON ZUMAH" <bajz00@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: bajz44@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 8 Oct 2005 21:06:30 +0200
Subject: HOW ARE U AND YOUR FAMILY

JOHNSON ZUMAH'S CHAMBERS AND ASSOCIATE FIRM
LEGAL PRACTITIONERS & SOLICITORS
PARLIAMENT BUIDING,RM-7
CAPE TOWN REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
PHONE: +27732270410
EMAIL: bajz44@yahoo.com

Dear Sir/Madam,
I honestly apologize and I hope I do not cause you any
embarrassment by contacting you through this means for a
business transaction of this magnitude, but
this is due to the confidentiality and prompt access
response on this medium, and with trust and good hope I
disclose this information confidentially to you for our
mutual benefit and please I want you to keep this secret to
yourself even if you are not able to help and assist me,
Before explaining the nature of my request and with
profound interest and in utmost confidence, I am soliciting
your immediate assistance and co-operation as to enable me
round up a business opportunity within my capacity as a
result of the death of my client.

I am Barrister Johnson Zumah ESQ,
a Solicitor and the personal Attorney to an
Engineer, a National of your country, who worked with
a Diamond and Gold Mining company herein Republic Of South Africa.Here
in after referred to as my Client.
On the 21st of April 2002,my client,his wife and their
three children were involved in a local plane crash.My
Client and his entire family unfortunatelylost their
lives in the accident. Since then I have made several
enquiries to your Embassy to locate any of my Client's
extended relatives which has proved abortive.After
these several unsuccessful attempts,I decided to use
his last name through the Internet to Locate any
member of his family hence the need to contact you.

My main reason for contacting you is to assist me in
repatriating the money and properties left behind by
my Client before they are confiscated or declared
unservicable by the bank where they are deposited and
lodged.Particularly the First National Bank
PTY LTD (FNB) where the deceased has a fixed sum of
seventeen Million United States Dollars($17M).

The said bank has issued me a final notice to provide
the next of kin of my Client or they will be left with
no other choice than to confiscate his funds.Since I
have been unsuccessful in locating my clients
relatives for the past two years I seek your consent
to present you as the next of kin of my client,going
by the fact that both of you has the same last name so
that the said fund as stated above i.e the sum of
Seventeen million United States Dollars ($17M) can be
paid to you instead of leaving it for First National Bank
PTY LTD (FNB), we can take part of it and leave the rest for
Charity.

I have all necessary legal documents that can be used
to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your
honest co-operation to enable us see this arrangement
through.

Upon the receipt of your positive reply, we shall discuss on;
(1) Basic program for operations.
(2) Financial status as to ascertain your capability upon completion of
this transaction, I have decided to give you 40% of the total sum, 55%
for me and which will be used for an investment into your Country. The
remaining 5% for any expenses we may incur.
I guarantee that this will be executed under a
legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any
breach of the law.

Please note this is a DEAL and confidentiality is of Great importance

Regards,
Barrister Johnson Zumah ESQ
(LLB LONDON)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam