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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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: "Michael Kuffor" <info333@ig.com.br>
Reply-To: michaelkuffor@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2008 02:22:30 +0100
Subject: From Barrister Michael Kuffor


Dear Friend,

This message might meet you in utmost surprise. However, its just my urgent
need for a foreign partner that made me contact you for this transaction.

I am a Lawyer by profession from Ghana in West Africa and I am the personal
attorney to Mr. Michtell K. Kelvin, whom previously working with shell
development Oil Company here in Ghana as a contractor.

Unfortunately on the 21st of April 2006, my client, wife and their only
child were involved in a ghastly auto accident along Tema Express Way and
all occupants of the vehicle lost their lives.

Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of my Clients
extended relatives and all in vain and I later tracked his surname over the
Internet in other to locate any member of his family all in vain.

Actually, I have decided to benefit from this huge sum of US$3.5 M instead
of the fund to be confiscates in the bank, since I am unsuccessful of
locating the exact relative of my client, and as the bank has issued me a
final notice to provide the next of kin/relative or they will have the
account declared unserviceable and the fund will be confiscate within 14
banking days.

So I am seeking your permission to declare you to the bank as the next of
Kin/Relative of the deceased, which will enable bank to transfer this US$3.5
Million into your account then you and I share's it according to ratio 60/40
and if you agree to my business proposal kindly forward the information
below to enable me proceeds.


1) Your full name
2) Direct Telephone
3) Your age, occupation
4) Your home address
5) International Passport or anything to identify you.

Note: there's no kind of risk or embarrassment involve in this transaction
as everything has been place under control by me. All I require is your
honest co-operation and support. Also this most Remain confidential between
both of us.

Reply urgently for immediate proceed,

Regards,

Barrister Michael Kuffor
Direct Line: + 233 277518290

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam