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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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.
• 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.
  • vocatesamby@yahoo.com
  • vocates_amby3@excite.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Amby" <vocates_amby3@excite.com> (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2006 18:43:59 +0800
Subject: We Needed you Urgent

Dear friend

I am Barrister Mrs.Amby Cheng,A legal practitioner.
A deceased client of mine,who here in
after shall be referred to as my client, died as a
result of a heart-related condition in February 2005.
I have contacted you to assist in distributing the
money left behind by my client beforeit is
confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank
where this deposit valued at US4.5 million dollars is
lodged.
This bank has issued me a notice to contact the next
of kin, or the account will be confiscated.

My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present
you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary of my
client, since you have the same last name, so that the
proceeds of this account can be paid to you.
Then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed-upon
percentage.
All legal documents to back up your claim as my
client's next-of-kin will be provided. All I require is
your honest cooperation to enable us see this
transaction through.
This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement
that will protect you and me from any breach of the law.

If this business proposition offends your moral values,do
accept my apology.
Please contact me at once to
indicate your interest.you can also contactme with this
Email Address:(vocatesamby@yahoo.com).or(vocates_amby3@excite.com)

RESPECTFULY,
Barr.Mrs Amby Cheng(ESQ).
LLB HONS...

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam