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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: Barrister Hassan Ahmed <barr_hassanahmed.2@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: barr_hassanahmed1@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2006 04:59:33 -0700
Subject: YOUR URGENT REPLY IS NEEDED


Hassan Chambers
Barr. Mr. Hassan Ahmed
NO 35 Ewu Street Off
Oshodi-Apapa Expressway
Lagos Nigeria.
Dear Sir/Madam,

I humbly crave your indulgence in sending you this mail,if the contents does not meet with your personal and business ethics,I appologise in advance.

I am Barrister Hassan Ahmed, an advocate and solicitor at law. However, I was moved to contact you base on the present situation of this oppurtunity which i may say that it is God given time offer. there is a foreigner who lived here in Lagos Nigeria long ago , and it happen that the man registered to me as his private/personal attorney.

On 3rd of Oct 2002, my client,and his family were perished in a ghastly car accident along Lagos-Ibadan express way. But my client made a fixed dopsit valued at (USD 10.8m) , and upon the maturity this bank started contacting him but no response.

Conseqently, the bank issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated after four years, as the law of this land says.Since then I have made several enquiries to their Embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.

Since i have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives for over two years 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 5.9 can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money.

I know that you might be wonder why i have decided to trust you with this huge sum, but the truth is that I need you to get this money out and considering the fact that you are a foreigner which makes it a lot easier and straight forward. 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 transaction through.This transaction, will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. If this business proposition offends your moral values,do
accept my apology. However,you should contact me at once to indicate your interest,with the following information:

1.Contact Address
2.Phone and fax numbers
3.Your full name.

Best regards,
Barrister Hassan Ahmed
SAN

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam