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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "barr." (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 ihem <james_ihem2@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: jame_ihem@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 03:32:18 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: URGENT/CONFIDENTIAL


Barr.James Ihem.
21/03/2008


Sir,

I am Barrister Ihem, a solicitor at law, personal attorney to Mr.A.O Graundig, a national Of your country,who worked with Shell Development Company. On the 10th of August 2005, my client, his wife and their only daughter were involved in a car crash. All occupants unfortunately lost there lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has proved abortive.

After several unsuccessful attempts,I decided to seek for a foreign partner through our country's International Chamber of Commerce to stand as his next of kin hence I contacted you.I have contacted you to assist in repartrating the fund valued at US$10.5 million left behind by my client before it gets confisicated or declared unserviceable by the financial firm where the fund was deposited. The said financial firm has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have his account confisicated within the next twenty one official working days.

Since I have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives for over 2years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you are of the same nationality, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you. I intend to part 35% of this funds to you while 65% shall be for me and the accounts officer .I have all necessary information and legal documents needed to back you up for claim. All I require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.if you accept this offer I will appreciate your timely response with the below information enclosed.

1,Your full name,
2,Your complete physical addresse
3, Your telephone and fax numbers

Best regards.

Barr.James Ihem.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam