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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:

• 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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "lagos" (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 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.
  • barristermartinsatah@indiatimes.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: BARRISTER MARTINS <barristermartinsatah@indiatimes.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:38:51 +0200
Subject: URGENT PLEASE.

 

FROM THE DESK OF: BARRISTER MARTINS ATAH .
Principal Partner,
MARTINS ATAH & CO.
#5, Raufu James Crescent,
Lagos, Nigeria.

 

Dear Sir/Madam ,

 

I am Martins Atah, Personal Attorney to the late Mr J, Patrick. A foreign construction engineer who was resident here in Nigeria. My client died with his family while on Vacation at Phuket Island in Thailand, in December 2004.Asia Earth Quake disaster(TSUNAMI DISASTER) <http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2004> /tsunami.disaster/ On the 6th of January 2005, I recieved a phone call as his personal Attorney which broke the tragic news of my clients death in the Tsunami disaster. Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of his extended relatives.This has proved unsuccessful.

 

After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the internet hence I contacted you. I seek your consent and assistance in repartriating money left behind by my late client before it gets confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where the deposit is lodged. The deposit is valued US$9,500,000.00 (Nine Million,Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars only) and it is lodged with Skye Bank Of Nigeria.

 

The bank has issued me an ultimatum to present a next-of-kin of the deceased to inherit the funds or have the account declared serviceable two weeks ago.The board of directors of his bank adopted a resolution and I was mandated to provide his next of kin for the payment of this money within 28 working days or forfeit the money to the bank as an abandoned property. The bankers had planned to invoke the abandoned property decree of 1996 to confiscate the funds after the expiration of the period given to me.

 

I hereby seek your consent to present you to the bank as next-of-kin of the deceased, so that the proceeds of this account valued US$9,500,000.00 can be transferred to you as inheritance, and thereafter you and me will share the money; 50% to me and 45% to you, while 5% will be donated to the Tsunami Disaster Charity Fund.

 

I have necessary legal documents that will be used to support claim of the inheritance from the bank. All I require is your honest
co-operation to enable us see the transaction through. I guarantee that the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

 

To commence the process of claiming the funds, I will require the following information from you,

 

1.Your Full names.

2.Your Telephone and fax numbers.

3.Your Contact address.

4.Your Date of birth.

5.Your Occupation.

 

As soon as I recieve these information I will file-in a formal application to the bank for the inheritance in your name as next-of-kin of the deceased.

 

That will enable the bank to process the transaction with you as beneficiary and remit the funds in your name as (Inheritor).

 

Please you are advice to send your reply to my alternative Email: - barristermartinsatah@indiatimes.com

 

Thank you.

 

Yours faithfully,

Barrister Martins Atah.

 

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam