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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• 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:
  • "million pounds" (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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: David Brinsford <davidbrinssford7@msn.com>
Reply-To: <davidbrinssford1@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2008 17:23:12 +0000
Subject: David



Good Day,
I will first introduce myself as Mr. Brinsford, a staff in the Accounts Management Section of a well-known bank, here in Scotland , UK .
One of our accounts, with holding balance of £15,000,000 (Fifteen Million Pounds Sterling) has been dormant and last operated four years ago. From my investigations and confirmation, the owner of the said account, a foreigner who died on the 7th of January 2004 in a car accident that occurred in Birmingham here in UK .
Since then, nobody has done anything as regards the claiming of this money, as he has no family member that has any knowledge as to the existence of either the account or the funds; and also Information from the National Immigration also states that my late customer client has the same last name with you and he was single on entry into the UK.
I have confidently discussed this issue with the Attorney to my late customer client and we have agreed to work with you due to the fact that you have the same surname with him it's 100% SURE that your claims will be approved by the finance firm where the said funds were lodged. We therefore propose to do business with you, standing in as the next of kin of these funds from the deceased and funds released to you after due processes have been followed.
This transaction is totally free of risk and troubles as the fund is legitimate and does not originate from drug, money laundry, terrorism or any other illegal act.
On your interest, let me hear from you.
Warm Regards,
David Brinsford.
DISCLAIMER:
This message contains confidential information and is intended only for specified addressee. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. The sender therefore does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this message, which arise as a result of e-mail transmission. Please note that we reserve the right to monitor and read any emails sent and received under the telecommunications (Lawful Business Practice) (Interception of Communications) Regulations 2002.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam