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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
  (+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)
  • "million united states dollars" (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)
  • "is highly confidential" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
  • "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.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348033863087 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • jonataba@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr. Jonathan Abasi" <jontha@terra.com.mx>
Date: Thu, 6 Jul 2006 15:15:32 +0000
Subject: DEAR PARTNER, CAN YOU ASSIST ME?


FROM THE DESK OF:
BARR. JONATHAN ABASI
LAGOS NIGERIA
WEST AFRICA
MOBIL LINE: 234-803-386-3087.
E-MAIL: jonataba@myway.com

Dear Partner,

Greetings to you from the most high .

I am highly Compelled upon strict recommendation, to write you this Very Urgent and confidential letter.

I am Barrister Jonathan Abasi, An Attorney at Law. I was the personal attorney to Late Mr. Clay Aaron, in the year 2001-2005. He is a national of your country, who used to work with Shell Petroleum Development Company in Nigeria. On the 12th of November 2004 it was reported to us that our late customer, his Wife and their only Daughter were involved in a car accident along Ibadan Express Road, Nigeria. Unfortunately, all occupants of the vehicle lost their lives. Since then I have looked forward to his Bank to receiving a requisition letter to transfer his estate to his next of kin which until now we have not received.

Now, I took it upon myself as a responsibility to make sure the funds are transferred to his next of kin which still has proved unsuccessful even after several inquiries to the Embassy here in Nigeria to locate any of my late client's extended relatives. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I had to get an alternative hence I contacted you for our own benefits. All I want you to do is to assist in repatriating the fund valued at US$ 11.5 Million United States Dollars deposited in his bank before it gets confiscated or declared unserviceable.

For the fact that I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives or other direct members of the family of my late clients for over Two Months now, I seek your consent for you to stand in as the Next of Kin to the deceased, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you. Therefore, on receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the sharing ratio and modalities for transfer. I have all necessary information and guidelines, all I require from you is your honest co-operation to enable us see this transaction through.

But it is imminent I state to you clearly now that this transaction should be executed through normal proceedings. I guarantee that this will be executed under an arrangement that will be highly protected by me here. I hope to receive your positive response and your co-operation in keeping this highly Confidential.

N:B.
For efficient and fast communications please kindly send me your Full names,Residential address and telephone and fax numbers.This is very important.

Thanks and Best regards,

Barrister Jonathan Abasi.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam