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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:
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (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 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.
  • +2348027040372 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "JOHN IRVIN OMOO" <barristerjohnirvin05@msn.com>
Reply-To: barristerjohnirvin01@myway.com
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2006 03:20:56 +0000
Subject: ATTN:Friend

Liberty Chambers & associates
#16 canal street,
Ikoyi, Lagos.
Nigeria.
Tel.no: +234-802-704-0372

ATTN:Friend,

It is with heartfelt hope that I write to seek your co-operation and
assistance in the context stated below. I know that a deal of this magnitude
will make anyone worried and apprehensive but I am assuring you not to be,
as all will be well at the end of this endeavor.

I am Barrister John Irvin a solicitor at law, the personal Attorney to a
late Mr. Eric Candy, foriegn expatriate who hails from your country. On the
21st of April, 2002, It was reported to us, that my client, in company of
his family died on their way to a Conference in a car crash along Kano
expressway enroute Abuja(Capital city). Before his death, my client
deposited the total sum of USD9,800,000.00 with the Union Bank of Nigeria.

Particularly, the Bank has given me a mandate as his attorney, to provide
his next of kin or the funds will be revoked within the next 15 working
days. Hence the reason I establish contact with you to assist me by standing
as his next of kin so that the proceeds of his account will be transferred
to you.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years
now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased
since you both share the same last name. You will be renumerated with 40% of
the total funds for your assistance. If in affirmative, kindly furnish me
with your following details, your full names, address, phone/fax numbers,
age, occupation and marital status, so that I will commence in the securing
of all the legal documents to put you in place as the heir to my late
clients estate.

Best Regards

Barrister John Irvin Omoo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam