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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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Fraud email example:

From: "WILLIAMS EZE" <barr_williamseze@msn.com>
Reply-To: barr_williamseze@yahoo.com.au
Date: Sat, 03 Dec 2005 00:46:24 +0000
Subject: NEXT OF KIN

BARR WILLIAMS EZE
WILLIAMS AND ASSOCIATES
SOLICITORS AND ADVOCATES
#14 CRAIG AVENUE
LAGOS

Dear Friend,

I am Barrister Williams Eze, a Solicitor at Law. I was the personal Attorney
to an expatriate who though is now late. He used to be an independent oil
contractor/Marketer with National oil and chemical company Lagos Nigeria.

On the 21st of April 2001, my client, his wife and their two children were
involved in a car accident along Lagos/Benin Express road; unfortunately
they all lost their lives in the event of the accident. Since then we have
made several enquiries to locate any of my client's extended relatives, but
up till now, all our efforts have proved fruitless, hence I contacted you.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money left behind by my
client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank
where his savings are deposited.

Recently, the bank where the deceased had an account valued at about
US$12,500,000.00 (Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand dollars) only issued
me a notice to provide the next-of-kin or have the account confiscated
within the next twenty official working days.

Since we have been unsuccessful in locating his relatives for over 2 years,
I seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin to the deceased so
that the proceeds of this account valued at US$12,500,000.00 dollars only.
This can be credited into your account as the next-of-kin. For your
assistance we have collectively agreed to compensate you with 20% of the
total sum.

I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim
we may make. All that is required is your honest co-operation to enable us
succeed. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you and I from any breach of law.

To enable us discuss this further get in touch with me through email. You
may also send your phone and fax number for easy communication.

Best regards,

Williams Eze (Esq.)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam