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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:
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "barr." (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: BARR BRAHAM <edwardchambers9@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: edward_law_firm@cooltoad.com
Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2006 07:08:40 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: EDWARD CHAMBERS


FROM: BARR. EDWARD (ESQ)
65 Fleet Street
London EC4Y 1HS
United Kingdom

Attention Please.

I am Barrister Edward Braham (Esq). I had a client who shared the same surname with you.He was a Citizen of your Country and worked with MULTI-MEDIA PARTNERS INCORPORATED,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 frantic enquiries at your Embassy here in London, to locate any of my client's extended relatives, this has also proved no success.After these series of unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the internet, to locate any member of his family ,but to 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 it confiscated or declared it unserviceable by the Finance House where this money was deposited. Particularly and more seriously, the Finance House where the deceased made a deposit valued at US$20M. They gave me an ultimatum to provide the next-of-kin within the shortest possible time or have the funds indefinitely confiscated within the next ten official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over nine (9) months now, I therefore seek your consent as a last resort to present you as the next of kin to the deceased (My Late Client) so that the proceeds of this deposit valued at US$20M can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money among ourselves.

I have all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make, all I require is your honest co-operation and sincerity to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a very legitimate arrangement that will protect both of us from any breach of the law, and my profession as a lawyer guarantees that.

I shall highlight the necessary steps to take soon as I acknowledge your anticipated affirmative reply.

Most Sincerely,

BARR. EDWARD BRAHAM (ESQ)
Attorney-At-Law.



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam