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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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: James Eze <jameze99930@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <jameze22202@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:15:51 +0100
Subject: I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU QUICKLY



Dear Friend, STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL I crave your indulgence as I contact you in such a surprising manner and I want you to bear in mind that this is not a hoax mail but respectfully insist you read this mail carefully as I am optimistic it will open door for unimaginable financial reward for both of us. I am Barrister JAMES EZE, the personal attorney to late ENGR. ROBERT BROWN, a foreigner and an oil merchant/Contractor, herein shall be refered as my client. On the 21st of October 2003, my client, his wife and their three children were involved in a ghastly auto accident along Shagamu Express Road,unfortunately, all occupants of the vehicle lost their lives, Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of my client's extended relatives and this has been unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to search for a foreign partner hence I contacted you. I am contacting you to assist in repatrating the money left behind by my client before they get confisicated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge amount US12.5million were lodged. The bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin/Relative or have the account confiscated within the next 21 banking days.Since I have been unsuccesfull in locating the the relatives for over 3 years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin/Relative of the deceased so that this US12.5 million can be transferred into your account and then you and I will share this fund according to any agreed ratio. All I require is your honest co-operation and confidentiality to enable us see this deal through, I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. PLEASE REPLY ME THROUGH MY DIRECT EMAIL IMMEDIATELY YOU READ THIS MAIL Thanks and God Bless. BARRISTER JAMES EZE
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam