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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:
  • "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.
  • +447024083477 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Chris Obi" <mac_donald9@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 03 May 2006 12:11:55 -0700
Subject: Attention: Dear Friend

    

 

From:  (ESQ)
MAC & ASSOCIATES,
4 Albert Embankments, London
SE1 7SR, United Kingdom.

Phone:+ 447024083477
            

 

Attention:  Dear Friend                  

 

I am Barrister Mac Donald. I have a client Mr.Fredric,who bears the same name with you,a foreigner who used to work with Mekon Associates Company in London.

 

On the 2nd of August 2003, my client, his wife and their three children were involved in a car accident along Manchester Express Road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your Embassy to locate any of my client's 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 of no avail, hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist me in repatriating the money left behind by my client before they got confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Finance House where these huge deposits were lodged. Particularly, the Finance House where the deceased had an account valued at about US$7.3M has issued me a notice 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 nine (9) months now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$7.3M can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money; 60% to me and 35% to you, while 5% should be for expenses or tax as your government may require, I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make, all I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

 

Immediately you acknowledge the good receipt of this message.
Anticipating your prompt response.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam