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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:
  • "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.)
  • "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.
  • +22993698913 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • allisonbumar1@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "ALLISON BUMAR" <allisonbumar4@legwork.com.ng>
Reply-To: allisonbumar@o2.pl
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:36:56 +0200
Subject: From Barrister Allison Bumar


BARRISTER Allison Bumar
Counsellors At Law
Avocet 001 BP 5519, Cotonou,
République du Benin
Telephone: 00229-93698913
Email: allisonbumar1@yahoo.com

Hello Dear



I am Barrister Allison Bumar ,the attorney at law to My late client ,that
die her in Benin Cotonou , a national of your country, Who used to work as
the Director of Société Nationale de Commercialisation des Produits
Pétroliers (SONACOP)Oil Company in Cotonou Benin Republic West Africa. I was
his attorney here in my country Cotonou Benin , on the 27th of May 2003, my
client, His wife and their three Children were involved in a car accident
Along Sagbama express-road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost
their lives. Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy to
locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved
Unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track
His last name over the Internet, 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 or declared unserviceable by
the bank here. These huge deposits were lodged particularly, with the
CONTINETAL BANK BENIN An affiliate of Commercial Bank of Africa where the
Deceased had an account valued at about $18.5 million dollars.(EIGHTEEN
MILLION, FIVE HUNDREND THOUSAND US DOLLARS) The Bank has issued me a notice
to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated.

Since I have been unsuccessful in Locating the relatives for over 6 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 $18.5 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can
Share the money.60% to me and 40% to you I will procure 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 seeing this Deal
through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. And the way we
are going to achieve this is by you to follow my instruction and we will get
this money to your account.

I will need the following information from you,

Your Full Name and Address,
Your Age, Occupation and Position,
Your Telephone and Mobile for Communication Purpose.

I await your reply ASAP.
Best Regards,
Barrister Allison Bumar
For privacy reply to my private Email: allisonbumar1@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam