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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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:
  • "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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was sent to thousands of people)
  • "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.
  • ikennassociates@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Barrister Ikenna Okafor <ikennassociates@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: barristerikennaokafor@gawab.com
Date: Tue, 9 May 2006 06:38:09 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: hi


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: ikennassociates@yahoo.com

Good day,

I am Ikenna Okafor a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Engr.Thompson , a national of your country, who used to work with a telecomminication Company in NG. Africa. Here in after shall be referred to as my client. On the 25th of December 2003, my client, his wife and their three children were involved in Plane clash in Cotonue. All occupants of the plane unfortunately lost their lives except few people. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives. Check out this websites:

www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/25/world/main590221.shtml

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/25/world/main590221.s

http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Dec/12262003/nation_w/123279.asp

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family or someone bearing the same surname with him, hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in securing the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where these huge deposits were lodged. Particularly, the finance company where the deceased had an account valued at about USD$8.4 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next Thirty (30) Working official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 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 USD8.4 million dollars can be transferred in your name.I have some necessary legal documents that can be used to back up this claim. I need your honest cooperation 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 the law.Await your reply if willing to assist.

Regards,



- Barrister Ikenna Okafor

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam