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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:
  • "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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned 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: =?utf-8?q?Barrister=20George?= <barris_ge1954@yahoo.com.co>
Reply-To: barrgeorgedimba@live.com
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:29:04 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Request for Safe Account


¡Tengo nueva dirección de correo!Ahora puedes escribirme a:barris_ge1954@yahoo.com.co



- Barrister John George (SAN)Senior Advocate of Nigeria,John George & Associates Legal Practitioners and Solicitors #12,Randle Avenue Lagos-Nigeria. Attn: Sir/Ma It is obvious that this proposal will come to you as a suprise This is because we have not met before but i am inspired to sending you this email by the huge fund transfer opportunity that will be of mutual benefit to the two of us.However,I am,(John George) personal Attorney to the late Engr.Ali Akbar a National of Isle of Man in UK,who used to work with Shell Petroleum Development Company(SPDC) in Nigeria. On the 21st of April 2003,my client,his wife And their three children were involved in a car accident along sagamu/LagosExpress Road. Unfortunately they all lost their lives in the event of the accident, Since then I have made several inquiries to several Embassies 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 of no avail, hence I contacted you.I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client,I can easily convince the bank with my legal practice that you are the only surviving relation of my client.Otherwise the Estate he left behind will be confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged.Particularly,the Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about $24.5million U.S dollars(Twenty four Million Five Hundred Thousand U.S.America Dollars).Consequently,The bank issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days.since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over several years now.I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased,so that the proceeds of this account valued at $24.5million U.S dollars can be paid to your account and then you and me can share the money.75%to me and 20% to you,while 5% should be for expenses or tax as your government may require.I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. I look forward to hear from you urgently so that we can proceed accordingly.I wait for your urgent response,YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS,DATE OF BIRTH,OCCUPATION TELEPHONE & FAX NUMBER and other relevant informations.Thanks and God Bless.Yours Faithfully Barrister John George.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam