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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "million 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)
  • "keep it confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "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.)
  • "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 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.
  • +2348025925367 (Nigeria, 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_henshaw007@yahoo.es (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Jennifer Cook" <jencook1@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:33:43 -0500
Subject: 409 Urgent Assistance needed

Did not see this one listed on your website

>From the Desk: Barrister.David Henshaw
Unity Chambers.
30 Ajose Adeogun Street,
Victoria Island,
Lagos- Nigeria.
Private / Highly Confidential
Subject Matter: Invitation to act as Next-of-Kin
Email:barr_henshaw007@yahoo.es
Mobile:+234-80-259-25367

Dear Sir/Madam,

I presume this letter will come to you as a surprise, but as things
unfold,we will know each other better. I will start by introducing myself
to you. My name is David Hensaw a solicitor at law.

I am writing in respect of a foreigner Richard Burson, who happens to
be my client an oil merchant and contractor who perished in a plane
crash of 31st October 1999[WITH EGYPTIAN AIRLINE 990] with other
passengers aboard. You can confirm this from the website below as
PUBLISHED ON: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/world/americas/502503.stm

Since the demise of my client I personally have watched with keeninterest
to see the next of kin but all has proved abortive as no one has come to
claim his funds of US$18.5m( Eighteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United
States Dollar) and all the relevant documents in the bank has no record of
any next of kin.

On this note, I decided to seek for whom his name shall be used ashis next
of kin so I have contacted you to assist in repatriating most especially,
the money left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared
unserviceable by the bank where the huge deposits were lodged.

Particularly, the IBTC Chartered Bank Plc where the deceased had an
account valued at about USD18.5 Million Dollars has issued me a notice to
provide the Next of kin, or have the account confiscated.

I seek your consent to present you as the Next of kin of the deceased
since I read your profile I know you can assist me as I need somebody
who is trustworthy and willing to assist me get the funds transfered.

The account which my late client operate is valued at USD18.5 Million
Dollars ,can be paid to you, as my clients Next of Kin, and then we
can share the amount on a mutual agreed percentage,which I have agreed
that 30% of the entire sum would be for you if you agree to take part in
this profitable transaction,60% for me while the remaining 10% would
be used to pay back the expenses that may be incurred during the course
of the transaction by both parties after the fund has been claimed and
lodged in your account.

All legal documents to back up your claim as the deceased Next of Kin
will be provided. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable
us see this deal through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement
that will protect you from any breach of the law and you should
endeavor to keep it confidential.

In the event that you are genuinely interested in the transaction,the
following information would be needed from you to expedite action.

1) Your Full Name .

2) Your Residential or Company Address.

3)Occupation......

4) Your Private Mobile,Telephone and Fax numbers where you can be reached
at all time because this transaction entails constant communication.The
transaction is 100% legal and totally free of risks as all modalities has
been perfected to ensure the hitch free success of the transaction.

If you are interested, send the requested information via email as soon
as possible so that we can proceed .

I await your response urgently.

You can reply me at my private email address:barr_henshaw007@yahoo.es

Best regards,

Barr.David Henshaw.
+234-80-259-25367

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam