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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• 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.
  • steven_martins101@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Steven Martin" <steven_martins10@msn.com>
Reply-To: steven_martins101@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 00:50:36 +0000
Subject: FROM ME..

DEAR SIR,

I AM BARRISTER STEVEN MARTINS, PRIVATE ATTORNEY TO THE LATE MRS STELLA
OBASANJO, WIFE OF THE NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, WHO DIED ON THE
23RD OF OCTOBER 2005 AT A HOSPITAL IN SPAIN. SHE HAD TRAVELLED TO SPAIN TO
UNDERGO SURGERY AND DIED FROM COMPLICATIONS RESULTING FROM THAT SURGERY,
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/africa/10/23/obasanjo.obituary/

AS THE PERSONAL ATTORNEY TO THE DECEASED, I HANDLE MANY OF HER AFFAIRS,
MOSTLY PROPERTIES AND FUNDS BOTH DOMESTIC AND IN OVERSEAS. IN THIS CASE MY
CLIENT LEFT HUGE AMOUNT OF MILLION GB POUNDS STERLING AND SO MANY OTHER
INVESTMENTS WITH MY SIGNATURES ABROAD.
http://www.socialistnigeria.org/paper/2005/may/4.html

VERY SOON MY CLIENT'S FAMILY WILL CALL ME TO ACCOUNT FOR MY CLIENT'S
PROPERTIES AND FUNDS DEPOSITED IN OFFSHORES.

AT THIS JUNCTURE, I SEEK YOUR CONSENT TO PRESENT YOU AS THE BENEFACTOR TO MY
LATE CLIENT'S FUND DEPOSITED IN EUROPE WHICH I WILL DISCLOSE TO YOU, SINCE I
HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE DEPOSITING OF THE FUNDS. I WILL PROCURE
ALL NECESSARY LEGAL DOCUMENTATION THAT CAN BE USED TO BACK UP ANY CLAIM WE
MIGHT MAKE.

ALL I REQUIRE YOUR HONEST CO-OPERATION TO ENABLE US SEEING THIS DEAL
THROUGH. I GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL BE EXECUTED UNDER A LEGITIMATE
ARRANGEMENT THAT WILL PROTECT YOU FROM ANY BREACH OF LAW,I PROMISE THAT YOU
AND I CAN SHARE THE MONEY 50/50%. ALSO SEND ME A NUMBER WHERE I CAN CALL
YOU.

I BELIEVE MY LETTER RECEIVED A FAVOURABLE CONSIDERATION AS I AWAIT YOUR
RESPONSE ASAP.

REGARDS,

STEVEN MARTINS...

NB: REPLY TO MY PRIVATE E-MAIL: steven_martins101@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam