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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:

• 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:
  • "million united states 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "urgent assistance" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "@lawyer.com" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
• 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.
  • volterchambers@lawyer.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Barrister U Edward Donkoh <e.donkoh01@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2007 17:26:01 +0000
Subject: From Edward,most urhent.



From,Barrister Edward Donkoh.No,22 Williams St Accra Ghana.Private email(volterchambers@lawyer.com)
Dear, I am Barrister Edward Donkoh, Attorney to one late Mr. Peter J. a local contractor with the State Government of Ghana. Having gone through your profile, I am convinced and pleased to solicit your sincere and urgent assistance over this matter. My Late client was awarded a contract worth of One hundred and Twenty-Five Million United States Dollars (125,000,000:00 USD) by the Ghana state Government for the maintenance and construction of roads in the states in 1999 and the contract was fully executed by my late client.My client has been paid the sum of 100.000 000 Million United States Dollars from the contract and he was to receive the balance payment of the contract, but unfortunately my client was involved in a fatal auto accident with his entire family on Kumasi Accra Express Road where he eventually lost his life and his two kids and wife. This was in 25th of December of 2001. Sequel to the death of late client, there is every need to present a next of kin to Ghana State Government so that they can release the balance of his contract money. Already the CONTRACT PAYMENT OFFICE under the Ghana State Government has contacted me that the balance payment for the executed contract, which has been approved for payment, is ready for collection.I am therefore asked to present the beneficiary/next of kin for the claim of the money (draft) from their office. At this juncture, I have decided to divert this 25 Million United States Dollars to a foreigner who will be presented to GSG, by soliciting the assistance of a reliable individual (A Foreigner) that will be presented as the beneficiary/next of kin of the fund. I will prepare all legal documents in your name as the successor /next of kin from our Federal High Court and Ministry of Finance to back up the claim on your behalf which will enable Ghana State Government to release the money to me on your behalf as the known next of kin to my late client. As soon as I hear your positive response; action will commence immediately. Please bear in mind that there is no risk involved in this transaction, but it requires absolute sincerity and confidentiality due to the nature of the transaction. I am willing to give you 40% of the fund as a reward for your assistance in this transaction and I have set aside 5% of the money to take care of any expenses that will be involved locally or internationally during the process of executing the business. All logistics are in place and all modalities worked out for a smooth actualization of the transaction within the next few working days of commencement.I will want you to respond to my email via below email address if you find it difficult geting this one, with your private phone numbers, fax number, cell phone your home/Company's Address as I will be coming over to your end for the sharing and for quick communication. I look forward to your swift response. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable ussee this deal through. I guarantee that this will beexecuted under a legitimate arrangement that willprotect you from any breach of the law.And the way we are going to achieve this is by sending the requried informations below:
Legal Names................ Contact Address............Age/sex.....................Occupation/Position..................Country......................................Telephone/Fax Number for...................Communication Purpose.Note this transaction is confidential and risk free. As soon as you receive this mail you should contact me through my e-mail address(volterchambers@lawyer.com). Sincerely yours, BARRISTER Edward Donkoh.(Esq)
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam