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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:
  • "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)
  • "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: BARRISTER ISHEMEAL IDRIS <barrister_idris207@yahoo.es>
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2007 15:41:30 +0200
Subject: PROPOSAL FROM BARRISTER ISHEMEAL IDRIS (URGENT RESPOND)


Attn:


I am Barrister Ishemeal Idris, a solicitor at law. I
am the personal attorney to Mr. James Zech , a
national of your country, who used to work with
Shell Development Company in Nigeria. Here in after
shall be referred to as my client.On the 21st of April
2005, my client, his wife and their only son
were involved in a car accident along sagbama express
road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost
there 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, I decided
to track his last name over the Internet, to locate
any member of his family hence I contacted you. I
have contacted you to assist in repartrating the
assets and Capital valued at US$15.5million left
behind by my client before they get confisicated or
declared unserviceable by the Security Finance Firm
where this huge deposits were lodged.

The said Security Finance Company has issued me a
notice to provide the next of kin or have the account
confisicated within the next fourteen
official working days. Since I have been unsuccesfull
in locating the relatives for over 2 years now, I seek
the consent to present you as the
next of kin to the deceased since you have the same
last names,so that the proceeds of this account can be
paid to you.Therefore, on receipt of your
positive response, we shall then discuss the sharing
ratio and modalities for transfer. I have all
necessary formation and legal documents needed to
back you up for claim.All I require from you is your
honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction
through.I guarantee that this will be executed under
a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from
any breach of the law.
My alternative email address is

I waiting to hear from you soon.

Best regards,
Barrister

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam