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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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 friend" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "barrisvanandrew" <barrisvanandrew@terra.com.mx>
Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2006 02:20:19 -0600
Subject: Dear Friend,


FROM:BARRISTER VAN ANDREW.
VAN ANDREW AND ASSOCIATE,
PUBLIC NOTARY,SOLICITORS & ADVOCATE.
LAGOS - NIGERIA.

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND URGENT BUSINESS ASSISTANCE.

Dear Friend,
I am Barrister Van Andrew,Solicitor and Advocate at Law.I am the personal Lawyer to Late Engr.Thomas ,A citizen of your Country,Working in an oil servicing company In NIGERIA. Referred to as my client On April 21, 2000 my client,his wife, and their three children were involved in a car accident along Sagamu express way. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended elatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his last name over the Internet. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my late client before they Get onfiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank where this huge deposits were lodged, particularly the ACCESS BANK PLC. Where the deceased had an account Valued at about (US$16.4million dollars) has Issued me a notice to provide the Next of Kin. Or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years now,Due to your from the same Country.I decide to seek your consent to Present you as the Next Of Kin,of the deceased,So that this account valued at (US$16.4 million dollars) can be paid to you and then You and Me Can share the money. 55% to Me and 40% to You while 5% for any expenses.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 and Me, from any breach of the law.

YOURS SINCERELY,
Barris Van Andrew,Esq

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam