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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "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. )
  • "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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "chambers" (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: =?utf-8?q?Ado=20Kwame?= <adokwame01@yahoo.in>
Reply-To: adokwame@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:58:31 +0530 (IST)
Subject: business


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: adokwame01@yahoo.in



- From Barrister Ado Kwame. Principal Partner, Ado Kwame & CO. Accra Ghana. Attn: Friend, I am Ado Kwame, Personal Attorney to late Mr.Raymond Beck, A foreign construction engineer who was resident here in Ghana. My client died with his family on Egypt Air Flight 990 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/502503.stm. I received a phone call as his personal Attorney which broke the tragic news of my clients death. Since then I have made several inquiries to locate any of his extended relatives. This has proved unsuccessful; I got your contact from the internet Chambers and Commerce. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet hence I contacted you. I seek your consent and assistance in repatriating money left behind by my late client before it gets confiscated or declared serviceable by the bank where the deposit is lodged. The deposit is valued US$10,500,000.00 (Ten Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only). The bank has issued me an ultimatum to present a next-of-kin of the deceased to inherit the funds or have the account declared serviceable. Two weeks ago. The board of directors of his bank adopted a resolution and I was mandated to provide his next of kin for the payment of this money within 28 working days or forfeit the money to the bank as an abandoned property. The bankers had planned to invoke the abandoned property decree of 1996 to confiscate the funds after the expiration of the period given to me. I hereby seek your consent to present you to the bank as next-of-kin of the deceased, so that the proceeds of this account valued US$10,500,000.00 can be transferred to you as inheritance, and thereafter you and me will share the money; 50% to me and 45% to you, while 5% will be mapped out for any expenses that would made, during the process of the claim. I have necessary legal documents that will be used to support claim of the inheritance from the bank. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see the transaction through.I guarantee that the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Now our questions are:- 1. Can you handle this project? 2. Can I give you this trust? 3. What will be your commission? If you can sponsor this transfer Consider this and get back at us as soon as possible with this information. 1.Your Full names. 2.Your Telephone and fax numbers. 3.Your Contact address. 4.Your Date of birth. 5.Your Occupation. 6. Scanned copy of your international passport. As soon as I receive these information I will file-in a formal application to the bank for the inheritance in your name as next-of-kin of the deceased. That will enable the bank to process the transaction with you as beneficiary and remit the funds in your name as (Inheritor). Thank you. Yours faithfully, Barrister Ado Kwame

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam