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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +2348025460765 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Stella Iwu" <stella_iwu14@msn.com>
Reply-To: stella_iwu06@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 15:31:13 +0000
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED

VERY URGENT!!!
Ben & Associates.
Solicitors & Advocates.
TELL:+2348025460765
 
Dear Friend,
 
I am Barr. Mrs. Stella Iwu, a Lawyer by profession. I am the personal attorney to Mr.Patrick Kerry, who worked for the Chevron Oil Exploration Company in Nigeria, herein after shall be referred to as my client. On the 21st of April, 2001, my client, his wife and their only child were involved in a car accident along Lagos - Warri 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 proved unsuccessful. I came to know about you through an enquiry I was making in the internet, which is why I have decided to contact you, in order to assist in repatriating the money
and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank. Particularly,the CITI TRUST Finance Security Company where the deceased had an account valued at about US$ 5.5 Million Dollars. The Bank  has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confisticated within the next 21 official working days.
 
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 4 years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased  so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$ 5.5 Million Dollars can be paid to you and then you and I could share the money, on the ratio of 70% for me, and 30% for you. 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 see this business 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 email or phone and send to me your telephone
and fax numbers to enable us discuss further about the details of this transaction.
 
Best regards,
 
Barr. Mrs. Stella Iwu
Principal Partner
Ben & Associates.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam