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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:

• 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:
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
  • "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.)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +22993811108 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • barr_govou@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: UNION LAW CHAMBERS <union_chambers52@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <union_law_chambers@yahoo.fr>
Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2007 02:57:06 +0200
Subject: DEAR TRUSTED FRIEND




UNION CHAMBERS
Office located at Guinkomè, Rue Roi Dakodonou Carré No 48, Cotonou Benin Rep.
EMAIL:barr_govou@yahoo.fr
TELL +229 93811108
MOTTO: Service to Humanity

___________________________________________________________________

Attn: Dear Trusted Friend,

I am Barrister Barr.Govou Mendy, a solicitor at law, and the Chief Legal Officer of Union Chambers,located at the above address.I am also the personal Attorney to Engr.Benno Saxena, an American Citizen, who lost his life in last Tsunami disaster while on vacation with his family in Thailand at the famous tourist resort Island of Phukhet. According to report reaching me, an extensive inquiry through Benin Rep. Embassy in Thailand revealed that non of his family members survived the devastating Tsunami disaster.

My deceased client lived most of his life time in Benin Republic and took here as a home, since according to him he was raised up in an orphanage in his country having been abandoned by his mother. As a consultant to Oil Prospecting Companies in Benin Rep. he made fortune for himself and I was his personal Attorney for a period of fifteen years,up till his time of death.

I am contacting you to assist me in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit were lodged. Particularly, the finance company where the deceased had an account valued at about US$20.500,000.00 dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next six months .

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 3 years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since i have the right or power to present any body as the next of kin to the deceased, so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$20.500,000.00 can be released to you then both of us would share the money to the ration of 60% to me, 30% to you and the remaining 10% will cater for any expenses we may incure both local and international. Moreso, 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 conclude this deal. You are to assist me in investing my share of the fund in your country. Be aware that there are no risks involved in this transaction as all legal documents regarding to it will be obtained. Be informed that i would need your assistance in investing my share of the fund in your country.

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.Reply this email through my personal email box:barr_govou@yahoo.fr
Expecting to hear from you as soon as possible.
Barr.Govou Mendy Esq.CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER,
UNION CHAMBERS.Email:barr_govou@yahoo.fr
COUNTRY; BENIN REP.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam