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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister Elvis Egobia" <barrister_huntley01@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: barr_elvisegobia5@yahoo.co.in
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 15:19:46 +0000
Subject: NEXT OF KIN/URGENT RESPONSE

Dear Friend,

I am Barrister Elvis Egobia, solicitor. I am the Personal Attorney to
Engr. T. Thomas, a national of your country, who used to work with
shell/oil development company in Nigeria.

On the 21st of April 2003. My client, his wife and their three children
were involved in a car accident along Sagamu Express Road. All occupants
of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made
several enquiries to their embassy to locate any of my clients extended
relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his
relatives over the internet, to locate any member of his family but all to
no avail, hence I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money that
belong to my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable
by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged. Particularly, the Bank
where the deceased had an account valued at about 20 million dollars has
issued me a notice today to provide the next of kin or have the account
confiscated within the next ten official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 3 years
now I seek your consent to present you to the bank as the next of kin
since you bear same last name with the deceased, so that the proceeds of
this account valued at $20 million Dollars can be paid to your account and
then you and me can share the money. 60% to me and 40% to you, as soon as
you indicate your interest with below information:

1. Your full name and address
2. Your telephone and fax number

All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal
through. I have all the documents (DEATH CERTIFICATE AND DEPOSIT
CERTIFICATE) required to this transaction and I guarantee that this will
be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any
breach of the law.

I await your immediate response.

Best regards,

Barrister Elvis Egobia.



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam