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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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.)
• 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.
  • barrister-7yemi@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "johnson smith" <johnsonsmith01@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: barrister_7yemi@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 03:24:46 -0800
Subject: Dear Friend

Dear Friend,
 
Compliments of the day.How are you and your family? I know this email will come to you in an odd manner as you have not received any prior communication from me before now coupled with the fact that, so many miscreants have  taken possession of the Internet to facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby making it extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate business class persons to get attention and recognition. But nevertheless, my name is Mr. Steve Marden (ESQ.) and I was privileged to be the Legal Adviser/Personal Attorney to Mr. Robert Drain my late client.
 
Further more,I wish to inform you that my late client died intestate and in the process of review in my search I got your contact information, your information was revealed to me through an international business directory here in London, hence
I contacted you so that I can give you further briefing on my intention and how to disburse the estate he left behind.I will most acknowledge your prompt response as that would enable us to start something immediately.
 
Anticipating an urgent response from you.
 
Best regards,
 
barrister johnson smith yemi (Esq.).
EMAIL : barrister-7yemi@yahoo.com

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam