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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• 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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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.)
  • "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.
• 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.
  • innocent_afam@excite.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "innocent_afam" <innocent_afam@terra.com.mx>
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2006 05:35:22 -0600
Subject: ATTENTION


>From the desk of
barrister Innocent Afam
Afam Solicitors%Advocates
4/5 babangida Way LAGOS NIGERIA
alternative email:Innocent_afam@excite.com

ATTENION,

I am Barrister Innocent Afam,the attorney to Late John
B.MC MICHAEL,a national of your country,who used to work with
shell Development Company in Nigeria.Here in after shall be
referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2000,my
client,his wife and their three Children were involved in a
car accident along Sagbama 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 clients extended relatives this has also
proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to
track his last name over the Internet,to locate any member
of his family hence I contactedyou.I have contacted you to
assist in repatriating the money and property left
behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared
unser viceableby the bank here.These huge deposits were
lodged Particularly,with the "ECOBANK OF INTERNATIONAL PLC"
where the deceased had an account valuedat about $7million
dollars.The bank has issued me a notice to provide the next
of kin or have the account confiscated.

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 $7million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me
can share the money.60% to me and 40% to you I will procure
all necessary Legal documents furnish me with the below
information to enable the bank transfer the fund to your
bank account.

1)Your full name and contact address

2)Your telephone and fax number for communication purpose

3)Your Ocupation, Age and Position

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see
this deal through.I guarantee that this will be executed
under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from
any breach of the law.

Note:Reply me through my alternative email
address:Innocent_afam@excite.com

Best Regards,
Barrister Innocent Afam.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam