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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (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: kingsley boni <kingsley_boni@yahoo.co.in>
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2007 14:53:31 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: PERSONAL LETTER


Dear Friend ,
I hope this email finds you and your family well.And I know this letter will come to you by surprise as we have never met before but I want you to know that any decision you take will go a long way to determine the future of both of us. My name is Barrister Kingsley Boni a personal attorney of late Mr Trudeau Shova,who deposited the sum of $20.5Million with a security company here in Cotonou which he intended to use for the purchase of diamond in 1999 and since 2000 he has not show up again and nobody came or ask for it again, not knowing that he died on 11th September .2001 at the world trade centre with his family as they went for shopping.
After going through some old files in the records, I discovered that if I do not contact a foreigner and remove this (money) out urgently from the security company, it would be forfeited to our new Government. No other person knows about this consignment the deposit has no beneficiary.


I am only seeking for your assistance to stand as the beneficiary of the consignment because you are a foreigner and this money cannot be approved to a local individual or company here, but can only be approve to you because you have the same surname as my late client. I want you to know that this is a transaction without a risk.
Please reply urgently with your address and phone number to enable me file an application on your name in the security company for urgent release of the funds to you. I am ready to go with you 50.50 share.
Truly Yours,
Barrister Kingsley Boni


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam