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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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)
  • "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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • oslo4jesus@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: Alfred Michael <oslo4jesus@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: alfredmichael@alfredmichaelchambers.com
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:30:53 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: DEAR FRIEND.


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: oslo4jesus@yahoo.com



- Dear Friend,I am Alfred Michael a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Mr.Seymour a national of your country, who used to work with Chevron Oil Company here in Nigeria Here in after shall be referred to as my client.On the 21st of April 1999, My client and his family was involved in fatal auto crash in Lagos-Benin expressway, 95 people were burnt to death unfortunately my client his family lost their 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, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you. I am contacting you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable to the security company where this huge deposit were lodged. Particularly, the finance company where the deceased had an account valued at about USD14.7 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days.Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 8 years now I seek your consent to present youas the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name, so that the proceeds of this account valued at USD14.7 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money.60% to me and 40% to you 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 deal through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me by my phone number 234-70-383-012-76.or Email:alfredmichael@alfredmichaelchambers.com send to me your telephone and fax numbers to enable us discuss further about this transaction.Best regards, Alfred Michael(Esq)234-70-383-012-76

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam