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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)
  • "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)
  • "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: mike williams <mikewilllcv@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mikewill19@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 16 May 2007 23:00:51 -0400
Subject: LETTER FROM MICHEAL WILLIAMS



Dear Friend,
I am Barrister Micheal williams(Esq) a solicitor at law. I am the Personal attorney to Mr. Peter Bush a national of the USA, who used to work with shell-development company in Nigeria. My Client died in Banda Aceh in Indonesia with his wife and family as a result of the deadly Tsunami while on a Tourism Visit in December 26 2004 .
Please log to this website for more about the Tsunami,http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2004/tsunami.disaster/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake
After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family and since I could not get anybody,hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged.FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA(FBN),where the deceased had an account valued at about $14.600.000 million dollars.
The bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated this new year. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased, so that the proceeds of this account valued at $14.600.000 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money. 60% to me and 30% to you,while another 10% will be set aside for any expenses that may be accrured during the course of this transaction.
I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require from you,is your honest cooperation 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 my email and send to me your telephone and fax numbers to enable us discuss further about this transaction.
Thanks And God Bless You.
Best Regards
Mr. Michael williams(Esq)



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam