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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:
  • "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. )
  • "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 united states 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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "barrister" (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.
  • +22997142624 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: john sama <johnsama07@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <johnsama59@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:08:31 +0000
Subject: USD24.5 Million



ROYAL CHAMBERS BENIN REPLEGAL ATTORNEY & SOLICITOR 52D RUE DE FRANCE COTONOU
TEL/FAX +229 9714 2624,

Attn My Dear
JOINT VENTURE PROPOSAL LEGAL ATTORNEY & SOLICITOR

I am Barrister Prince John Sama, a solicitor. Am the personal attorney to my late client Engr JB Apte ,A national of your country,who used to Work with Sonacop Petroleum Company here in Rep of Benin after shall be referred to as my client. In 2003, my client, his wife and their two children were involved in a plane crash in a village called Adjarra near Porto Novou after take off from Cotonou in Benin Republic.

It was unfortunate that my client and his family all lost their lives in the crash.For more on the plane crash log on to http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3348109.stm

Since then I have made several enquiries in Cotonou and Porto Novou to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts,I decided to go through our chamber of commerce to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated, frozen or declared unserviceable by the bank where these huge deposits were lodged.

Particularly where the deceased had an account valued at about $24.5 Million United States Dollars Only .. The Management has issued me a notice to provide the next Of kin or have the account frozen within the next twenty one Official working days. 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 you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at USD24.5 Million USD can be paid to you and both of us will share the money. I have all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.

And this I must do to make sure that this fund is not Wasted or end up in the wrong hands. All I require is your honesty,co-operation 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.

I am waiting your urgent reply.

Thanks for your understanding,

Yours truly Prince John Sama (ESQ) LEGAL ATTORNEY & SOLI
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam