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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.)
  • "cotonou" (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 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.
  • jeff_gilbertt@excite.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Jeff Gilbert" <jeff_gilbert9@msn.com>
Date: Thu, 05 Jan 2006 23:49:39 +0000
Subject: WITH REGARDS

Dear Friend,

I am Jeff Gilbert, a barrister at law. I am the personal attorney to Engr.
David Harry a national of your country who is the sole owner of Palek
Construction Company, CARRE 110-118,PK 15 RUE DE PORTNOVO COTONOU
BENIN,REPUBLIC, Hereinafter, shall be referred to as my client died with his
wife and three children on the 21st of April 2003 in a ghastly auto accident
along QUIDAH-PARAKOU express way.

Unfortunately, all the occupants of the vehicle lost their lives. Since
then, I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any member of
my client extended relatives which has proved unsuccessful. After this
several unsuccessful attempts decided track his last name over the internet
to locate any member of his family, hence I contacted you.

I have contacted you to help in repatriating the money left behind by my
late client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the
security company where this consignment are deposited.

Particularly, the security company where my late client had this deposit
valued at US$18.4 Million has issued me a notice to provide the next-of-kin
or have the consignment confiscated within the next 21 official working
days.

Having been unsuccessful to locate my client relatives for over 2 years plus
now, I seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin to my late client
since you bear the same last name so that the proceeds of this claim will
can be released to you.
Your compensation for the expected assistance shall be discussed and agreed
upon before we proceed with the transaction I have all the necessary legal
documents that will be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require
is your honest co-operation to enable us seeing this deal through.

Best Regards,

Barrister Jeff Gilbert.

N.B: Reply me to my private email address for further discussion:
jeff_gilbertt@excite.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam