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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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:
  • "million 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)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <willmood@o2.pl>
Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:50:54 +0000
Subject: Attention: Macdonald


Dear Macdonald,

Sequel to your non response of my earlier letter to you. I am the attorney and trustee to late Mr. Morris Macdonald. My late client deposited as family belongings in a bank in Hungary the sum of Seventeen Million United States Dollars, with the hope of transferring it to his country as soon as he is on leave. Since his death I have made several attempts to locate any of my clients extended relatives, but this attempt so far has been unsuccessful. I am contacting you to assist in repatriating the money left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank where the deposit was made. The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the money confiscated within the next fourteen official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over two years, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have same last name with my late client. All legal documents to aid your claim to this fund and to prove your relationship with the deceased will be arranged for. Your help will be appreciated with 50% of the total sum.

All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee that this transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please accept my apologies, keep my confidence and disregard this letter if you do not appreciate this proposition I have offered you. However, if you do please include your phone and fax number in your response for better communication. God bless you and your family.

Mr. Anthony Marchant.



MARCHANT CHAMBERS
KISKORONA U.7, 1058 BUDAPEST,
HUNGARY

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam