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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)
  • "huge deposit" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money)
  • "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Williams Ego" <williamsego2005@msn.com>
Reply-To: williamsego2005@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2005 13:52:21 +0000
Subject: You Are The Next Of Kin.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Barrister Williams Ego Solicitor. I am the Personal Attorney to
Mr.David E.Tiffany, a national of your country, who used to work with shell
development company in Nigeria.On the 2nd of may 2002, my client, his wife
And their three children were involved in a car accident along Sagbama
Express Road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives.

Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my
clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these
several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the
Internet, to locate any member of his family but of no avail, hence I
contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in repartrating the money that
belong to my client before they get confisicated or declared unserviceable
by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged.

Particularly, the Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about $15
million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have
the account confisicated within the next ten official working days.since i
have been unsuccesfull in locating the the relatives for over 3years now I
seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since
you are from the same country,so that the proceeds of this account valued at
$15 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the
money. 55% to me and 40% to you,while 5% should be for expenses or tax as
your government may require,I have the ertificate of deposit that can be
used to back up any claim we may make.All I require is your honest
cooperation to enable us see this dealt through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any breach of the law.Please get in touch with me by
my email to enable us discuss further.

Provide him with the information below:

1. Your Full Name:
2. Your Current Mailing Address:
3. Your Marital Status:
4. Your Age:
5. Your Occupation:
6. Company Name: (If Any):
7. Country: (Present Location):
8. Nationality:
9. Telephone and Fax numbers.
10. Your Email Address:

I WILL OBTAIN AFFIDAVIT FROM COURT WHEN YOU RESPONSE TO ME.

Best regards,
Esq:Williams Ego

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam