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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:
  • "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.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "JAMES DOUGL" <jdull34_mr@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2006 18:44:50 +0100
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE

Dear Friend,

I am Barrister James Douglas, the principal lawyer to late Engr.Mark
Dattilo, a foreigner and an oil company expatriate here in Nigeria, On the
21st of April 2003, my client, his wife and their two children were involved
in a ghastly auto accident along Badagry Expressway Road,unfortunately,all
occupants of the vehicle lost their lives.

Since then I have made several enquiries to the Embassy to see if I can
locate any of my clients extended family/relatives, this has also proved
unsuccessful. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and
properties left behind by my client before it will get confiscated or
declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were
lodged.After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his
last name over the Internet, to possibly locate any member of his family
hence I contacted you.

The Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about [$12 million USD
+ INTEREST], has issued me a notice as the principal lawyer to the deceased
to provide the next of kin or they will have the account confiscated within
the next 10 banking days accordingly with their laws and regulations.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 estate can be paid to
you and then we can share the money in the following ratio:

40% will be for you
60% will be for me

AllI require is your honest co-operation to enable us see that this
transaction succeeds.I guarantee that this transaction will be executed
under a legitimate arrangement that will protect us from any breach of law.

As you indicate your interest, please send along the the below information
so that I will include them in my Referral Letter to the bank introducing
you as late Mark's relative.

1. Your full names and address.
2. Your age, occupation and sex.
3. Your telephone and fax number

Looking forward to your positive response so that I will brief you on
the steps to be taken.

Yours Sincerely,
James Douglas

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam