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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:
  • "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)
  • "million dollars" (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)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348029333394 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: JAMES WHITE <brownn_victor@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: jamess_dr@inmail24.com
Date: Wed, 9 May 2007 02:35:27 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: from james white


Good day,
I am JAMES WHITE a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Mr. Van kiger, a national of your country, who used to work with Chevron Oil Company in Nigeria. Here in after shall be referred to as my client.
On the 21st of April 2004,my client Mr. Van kiger, and his family were involved in a fatal auto crash in Lagos in which people were burnt to death unfortunately my client Mr. Van kiger, and his family lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.
I am contacting you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable to the bank where this huge deposit were lodged.
Particularly, the finance company where the deceased had an account valued at about USD65.7 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next fifteen official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 3years now 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 account valued at USD65.7 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the
money, 60% to me and 40% to you, I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal through.
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me
by +234-80-29333394 for better confidentiality and send to me your telephone and fax numbers to enable us discuss further about this transaction.
Best regards,
JAMES WHITE (Esq.).



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam