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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:
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "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: "Barrister Colin Wong" <hfurney@bgnet.bgsu.edu>
Reply-To: bar.colinwong66@live.co.uk
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:05:24 -0400
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION !!!


COLIN WONG & CO.
1ST FLOOR JALAN SUSUR
BATU 21, TAMAN NAM TAK
80000 KUALA LUMPUR
MALAYSIA


Good Day,

I am Colin Wong, an attorney at law. A deceased client of mine,
who hereinafter shall be referred to as my client, died as the
result of a heart-related condition on the 11 November 2001. His
heart condition was due to the death of all the members of his
family in the Gulf Air Flight Crashes in Persian Gulf Near
Bahrain Aired August 23, 2000 - 2:50 p.m. ET as reported
on:http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0008/23/bn.08.html

I have contacted you to assist in distributing the money left
behind by my client before it is confiscated or declared
unserviceable by the bank where this deposit valued at EIGHTEEN
MILLION TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS.
($18,200.000.00 USD).Is lodged. This bank has issued me a notice
to contact the next of kin, or the account will be confiscated.

My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as
the next-of-kin, so that the proceeds of this account can be
paid to you. Then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed-
upon percentage.

All legal documents to back up your claim as my client's next-of-
kin will be provided. All I require is your honest cooperation
to enable us see this transaction through.

This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will
protect you from many breach of the law. If this business
proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apology.
I must use this opportunity to implore you to exercise the
utmost indulgence to keep this matter extraordinary
confidential, whatever your decision, while I await your prompt
response. Please contact me at once to indicate your interest.

Email: bar.colinwong66@live.co.uk




Best regards,


Barrister Colin Wong
(Attorney at Law)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam