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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:
  • "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.
  • hatttjones200@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister William Ibru" <barristerwilliamibru@ibruchambers.org>
Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 01:09:42 +0000
Subject: PROBATE

Dear,

It is with trust and believe that I write to you. I am Barrister William Jones, a Solicitor at Law. I am the personal attorney to Mr.Tyler  a National of your Country, who used to work as an importer and exporter of Electronics in and out of Europe.
On the 21st of April 2004, my client, his wife and their only daughter were involved in a car accident along Greenfield road, London, UK. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives, Since then I have made several inquiries 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 recovering the fund valued at US$15.4Million left behind by my client before it gets confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Security Finance Firm where this huge amount was deposited.

The Paying Bank 'TRANS BANK PLC SPAIN' has issued me a notice to provide the Next of Kin or have the account confiscated within the next twenty-one official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over a year now, I seek the consent to present you as the Next of Kin to the deceased since you bear his last name, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you.

Therefore, on receipt of your positive response, we shall 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 cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee you that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

I would be grateful if this mail will be favoured with an early reply via the above email address. hatttjones200@yahoo.com

Best regards,

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam