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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:

• 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)
  • "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.
  • barrfrankobi_o2@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Frank Obi" <frankobi_o2@terra.com.mx>
Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2006 06:57:57 -0600
Subject: VERY URGENT


Dear Sir

I am BARRISTER FRANK OBI a solicitor at law. I am the personal Attorney To Mr Eric,a national of your country, who lived in Nigeria, Here in after shall be referred to as my client.On the 21st of April 2003, my client was involved in a car accident Along Egbeda Road. All occupants of the vehicle Unfortunately lost their lives.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the (WEMA BANK PLC)where this huge deposit was lodged. Particularly, the bank where the deceased had an account valued at about 9.8 million dollars Has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account Confiscated within the next twenty official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives, I now 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 9.8 million dollars can be paid to you.If you agree, we can discuss your percentage. I have all necessary Legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honesty and maximum 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.You do not have nothing to fear or worry about since am the only attorney to my late client that witness this fund. As a lawyer I have the ability and necessary infomation to present you as the beneficiary of this fund. I required your full cooperation and understanding by forwarding to me YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS,to enable me put-up the claim for processing of this transaction and send me your PRIVATE TELEPHONE/FAX NUMBER to enable us to discuss the final conclusion of the deal. There is no successful buisness without cordial communication.

Awaiting your response.

YOU REACH ME THROUGH MY PRIVATE EMAIL:barrfrankobi_o2@yahoo.com
Best regards,
FRANK OBI (Esq.).

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam