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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "huge deposit" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "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 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.
  • +2348032591195 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • evanstimothy43@excite.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Evans Timothy" <evanstimothy1988@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: evanstimothy43@excite.com
Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2006 03:48:28 +0000
Subject: Next of kin.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Evans Timothy a solicitor at law. I am the personal Attorney to Mr
Ronald Hills a national of your country, who lived in Nigeria. Here in
after shall be referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2001,my
client,
was involved in a car accident along sagbama express road. All occupants of
the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property
left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared
unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits was lodged.Particularly,
the CITI
BANK NIGERIA PLC where the deceased had an account valued at about US$18.6
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 relatives for over 4
years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the
deceased since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this
account
valued at US$18.6 million dollars can be paid to you. If you agree we
can discuss your percentage.I have all necessary legal documents that can
be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest
cooperation to enable us see this deal through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement
that will protect you from any breach of the law. Awaiting your response.
Please reply through this e-mail: evanstimothy43@excite.com

Best regards,
Barrister Evans Timothy.
Tel:+234-8032591195.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam