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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:

• 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:
  • "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)
  • "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
  • "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.
• 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.
  • +447031891980 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • williamben11@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: William Ben <williamben11@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: williambenchamber@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:59:51 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: GREETINGS TO YOU


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: williamben11@yahoo.com



- Legal Practitioner, Barrister William Ben (William Chambers & Associates),RPA Consulting,Nechells parkway Birmingham, United Kingdom.+447031891980 Dear Friend Greeting to you and your family.I quite know my mail will surprise you and make you think otherwise for the fact that we haven't known each other before. However, as you read down my mail, you will understand that contacting you is not by accident rather it is handwork of God Almighty.I am Barrister William Ben, I am the Personal Attorney to Engr.Michael Gaer's Lyold, national of United State of America U.S.A, who used to work with Birmingham Government here in England as a contractor.On the 25th of july 2005, my client, his wife and their three children were involved in a Air plane crash bound for New York with his family.Unfortunately they all Lost their lives in the event of the crash, since then I have made several enquiries to my late client to Locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved un!
successful. 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 contacted you to assist in repatriating the money in addition, property left behind by my client before they get Confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank Where this huge deposits were lodged.Particularly, the Bank where the deceased Had an account valued at about US$4.5 Million USD. Consequently, the Bank issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the Account the next ten official working days as his Lawyer.Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the the relatives For over 2 years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased , So that the proceeds of this Account valued at US$4.5 million USD, can be paid to you and then you and I Can share the money.60% to me and 30% to you, while 10% should be for expenses or taxes your Government may requir!
e. I have all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back u
p any claim we may make and also the deposit certificate that was issued to my late client on the day he deposited the Fund with the Bank..All I require from you is Below Name in full.......Address.......occupation............Date of birth...........Telephone/Fax No.......these will be used to Submit an Application of Claim for you in my late client the Bank. Your honest cooperation will be needed 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 your urgent respond is needed to this matter, as I will advice you contact me to discuss further.Best Regards,Barrister William Ben. (Esq)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam