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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "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.)
  • "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 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.
  • thomasoffice000@yahoo.fr
  • barr.thomasoffice000@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "thomas_ekwem Gazeta.pl" <thomas_ekwem@gazeta.pl>
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2008 09:32:08 +0100
Subject: Appointed As Next Of Kin.


Barrister Thomas Ekwem
Senior Advocate, International Legal Practitioner
T. Ekwem's chambers & Associate
plot 23/25 Air port Road Cotonou,Benin Republic
Private Email: thomasoffice000@yahoo.fr

Dear Friend,

I must solicit your confidentiality and assure you that I am contacting you
in good faith and this proposal will be of mutual benefit. I know that this
an unsolicited way to start a relationship. However, this correspondence is
unofficial and private, and should be treated as such.

I am barrister Thomas Ekwem, a solicitor and personal attorney to late
Mr.Ron Kenneth, a citizen of your country. He was a Seasoned Contractor with
Benin Cement Company in Benin Republic; who unfortunately died in the plane
crash of Union Transport Africaines Flight Boeing 727 in Cotonou, Benin
republic on the december 25,2003.
You will read more stories about the crash on visiting this website
www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3353551.stm

My proposal is in respect of a certain fixed deposit made by my late client
with a bank here for a period of six months on the June 1st 2003. This
deposit is a total of $6M (US$6,000,000.00) and I intend to present you as
the next of kin to my late client to enable us claim the funds before it is
reverted to the banks treasure as unclaimed fund since my late client did
not mention any next of kin in any of the deposit document and I have not
been able to locate any of his extended relatives.

My suggestion to you is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand as the
next of kin/beneficiary to the fund deposited by my late client valued at
US$6M will be paid to you.
Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this
issue.

Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated bank account, which
you will send to the bank, we shall share in the ratio of 60% for me, and
40% for you. I have worked out a procedure that will ensure success, and as
a lawyer, I will ensure that all our actions are within the confines of the
law.

If you should be interested please, respond via my private email address,
barr.thomasoffice000@yahoo.fr with your telephone and fax number, and I
will provide you with more details of this transaction and how to proceed.

Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.

Best Regards,

Thomas Ekwem
Attorney at Law.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam