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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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 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: "prince musa" <princemusa2@gmail.com>
Reply-To: princmus@myway.com
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2008 17:43:06 +0100
Subject: Dear Sir/Madm, CONFIDENTIAL AND URGENT.


FROM THE DESK OF .
BARRISTER PRINCE MUSA.
PRINCE MUSA CHAMBER&CO.
16, TOM STEET.LAGOS Oppist,
Nigeria AirWays.
VictoraIsland
Nigeria.


Attn: Sir/Madam.


I know that you may be very suprised with this mai, but i want you to
understand that this is Real.I regret whatever inconveniences your reading
this mail might cause you, though it will be to your advantage, if you can
make out time to go through the information let me assure you frist this
transaction is 100% Real,legal and risk free,

I am Attorney Prince Musa, a Solicitor. I am the Personal Attorney to Mr.Joe
Jones. a Foreigner who used to work with shell development company in
Nigeria.On the 15th of March 2004, my client,his wife And their three
children were involved in a car accident along Sagamu Express Road. All
occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives.

Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my
clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.After these
several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the
Internet, to locate any member of his family but of no avail, hence I
contacted you.

I have contacted you to assist in repartrating the money and property left
behind by my client before they get confisicated or declared unserviceable
by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged.Particularly, the Bank
where the deceased had an account valued at about USD$20.5 million dollars
has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account
confisicated within the next Six Months.

since i have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives for over 2 years
now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased
since you are from the same country so that the proceeds of this account
valued at USD$20.5 million dollars,Twenty million Five hunderd thousand us
dollars. can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money.

55% to me and 40% to you,while 5% should be forexpenses or tax as your
government may require, I have all necessary legal documents that can be
used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest
cooperation 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.Let me re-assure you that this
transaction is 100% Real, legal and risk free. Please get in touch with me
by email to enable us discuss further.

Best regards,
Barrister, Prince Musa.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam