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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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Edwin Mufu" <ahm_dan@msn.com>
Reply-To: edwinmufu@juridica.net
Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2006 15:30:40 +0000
Subject: Fund.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Barrister Edwin Mufu, the personal attorney to Mr.Rodge Mark, who
worked with the Automated Drill Development Company (ADDC) in oil servicing
company in Nigeria.

On the 21st of April 2002, my client, his wife and their two children were
involved in a auto-crash along the ever busy Sagamu-Ibadan High Way.All
occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have
made several enquires to their embassy to locate any of my clients extended
relations but to no avail.

Hence the need to get in touch with you as one who I can present to the bank
as the next of kin to my late client. I have contacted you to assist in
repatriating the money left behind by my client before they get Confiscated
or declared unserviceable by {Devcom Bank of Nigeria Plc} the bank where
this huge deposits were lodged.

Particularly, the bank where the deceased had an account valued at about
$17.5 Million Dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin of
the deceased or have the account confiscated within some Period of
time.Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over
3years 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 $17.5 million
dollars.

We will share the money as follows: 70% for my colleaues and me, 25% to You
and 5% will be set aside for expenses. I have all necessary legal documents
that can be used to backup any claim we may make. All I require is your
honest cooperation to enable this deal 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 through my email address and send to me your
Telephone and fax numbers to enable us discuss further about this
transaction.

Best regards.
Edwin Mufu ( Esq.)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam