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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:
  • "trunk box" (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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: Johnson Koffi <johnsonkoffi_0002@yahoo.in>
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 04:11:11 +0530 (IST)
Subject: GOOD Day//////



Dear,
 
I am Barrister Johnson Koffi,a solicitor at law,personal attorney to Mr.P.A.Norman ,a national Of your country,who used to work with Shell Development Company in Republic of Togo.Hereinafter shall be referred to as my client.

 
On the 21st of April 2005, my client,his wife and their only daughter were involved in auto crash along ecowas express road.All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives.Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy here to locate any of my clients extended relatives,this has also proved unsuccessful.
 
After these several unsuccessful attempts,I decided to track his last name over the Internet,to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.I have contacted you to assist in repartrating the Fund valued at US$18.5 million left behind by my client before it gets confisicated or declared unserviceable by the Security & Finance Trust company here in Lome-Togo where this huge amount was deposited in a trunk box with other treasures.
 
The said security company has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have his account confisicated within the next seventy two official working days.But they dont know that the realy content of this boxes.Since I have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives for over 2years now,I seek the consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you have the same last names,so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you.
 
Therefore,on receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the sharing ratio and modalities for transfer. I have all necessary information and legal documents needed to back you up for claim.
 
All I require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through.I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
 
Best Regards.
Barr.Johnson Koffi.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam