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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:
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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)
  • "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "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.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: barr_kofioke3@live.com
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:09:29 +0530 (IST)
Subject: Dear Friend


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: kofi.oke12@yahoo.in

Contact me immediately

- Dear Friend,I am Barrister Kofi Oke,a personal attorney to Mr.Michael Adams, who used to work with Inter Gold mining and Development Company in Accra, Ghana,Herein after shall be referred to as my client.On the 21st of August 2006, my client, his wife and their child were involved in a car accident along aflawo/accra express road.All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives but this has proved unsuccessful.After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track any foreigner to present as a member of his family hence I contacted you.I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Security Company where this huge deposits were lodged, particularly the Trust Security & Finance Company,where the deceased had deposit valued at about 4.5 million dol!
lars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated after six months if not claimed and We have just few weeks ultimatum.Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 5 months now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you are also a foreigner as my late client so that the proceeds of this amount valued at 4.5 million dollars can be released to you.I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to backup any claim we may make.All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us seeing 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 through the above phone number +233-24-4832432 to enable us discuss further.I look forward to your urgent response.Best Regards,Barr.Kofi Oke

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam