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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:
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Nigel Cooksley."<efabian@cyberhotline.com>
Reply-To: <osc.nigelcooksley@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:15:06 -0800
Subject: we must apologize for the delay in writing you

Attn: Beneficiary
First, we must apologize for the delay in writing you as regards to the claim of your late brothers US$22,500,000 (Twenty Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) with the UBS AG London. I must solicit your strictest confidence in this transaction This is by virtue of its nature as being utterly confidential and top secret because of the awareness of the transaction to your late brothers former Attorney who planned to divert the funds to his personal bank account. I am sure and have confidence that my firm will receive the 20% as promised by your late brother that after a successful transfer of the funds to your account that 20% will be remitted to my firm.
Please note, that I have forwarded all your late brothers particulars to the paying bank (UBS AG London) for clearance and payment of the funds after ascertaining the particulars as authentic and genuine. However, the bank insisted that the funds must be paid to a blood relative who must have the same surname with your late brother and that was why I went for a proper search to get your email address to let you know of our arrangement.
However, by virtue of our position as a Law Firm in charge of your inheritance, we can not receive the funds in our account and it is criminal attempt to try to acquire the funds in our name. Rather, we can only do your late brothers wish and the banks wish to have the funds remitted to your own account. Be aware that before the remittance of the funds to your account, with must have a written agreement that our 20% must be paid to us as soon as the US$22.5M is remitted to your bank account.
Kindly send the information below to enable us send your full data to the bank as the beneficiary of the funds.
(1) Your Full Name:
(2) Your Full Address:
(3) Your Phone/Fax No
We are looking forward to doing this business with you and solicit your confidentiality in this Transaction. Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter. I will send you detailed information of this transaction when i have heard from you.
Waiting for your reply.
Yours Faithfully,
Nigel Cooksley.
Old Square Chambers Bristol.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam