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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:
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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:
  • "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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "barr." (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 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.
  • barrialonsoluis@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date:
Subject: URGENT REPLY






Attn:
 
I am Barrister Alonso Luis, a solicitor at law. I am the personal Attorney to late Enger: J .E. MORGAN, a national of United States of America, who is a Contractor and have spent most of his life in this country (SPAIN) Here in after, shall be referred to as my client. On the 11th Of March 2004, my client, his wife and their only son were involved in a Train bombing accident in Atocha Train Station here in Madrid Spain.
 
All occupants of the Train unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to the embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet, to locate any member of his family but all to no avail.
 
Hence, I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the assets and Capital valued at ($10. 5M) million dollars left behind by my late client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Banco La Caixa Madrid Spain where these huge deposits were lodged. The Banco La Caixa has issued me a notice last week to provide the Next of Kin or have the account confiscated within the next twenty Official working days.
 
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 4 years now, I seek the consent to present you as the Next of kin to the deceased, 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 ration and modalities for the 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 a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
As soon as you indicate an interest, send me an e-mail with the below details.
 
1. Your full name and address
2. Your telephone and fax number
                        
Waiting to hear from you.
 
Best regards,
Barr. Alonso Luis , Esq.
Copy Your Reply To barrialonsoluis@sify.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam