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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

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:

Fraud email example:

From: "John Owen" <johnowenconsultss@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: barrjohnowenconsults01@o2.pl
Date: Wed, 04 Jan 2006 15:06:54 +0000
Subject: John Owen & Associate

John Owen & Associate
54-walf rd Apapa,
Lagos. Nigeria.
Dear Friend, 
 
This Letter might come as a surprise to you, especially since we have ever met or discussed before. Basically, the message might sound strange, but it is in fact, very real. If only you care to know, The truth is that I should have notified you first through a more confidential means even if it is at least to respect your integrity, please accept my humble apologies if I had caught you unaware. I frankly do not mean any harm in passing my goodwill message.
 
I am Barrister John Owen, a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Mr. Larry, a foreigner who is an expert rate with Nigerian Oil development. My Client Mr. Larry, and whole family wife and 2 kids perished along with 148 others which includes the then Nigerian sports minister late Ishaya Aku, in air-line plane crash in Kano northern Nigeria on may 4th 2002.My Client {Larry} deposited the sum of $18.5m with a finance company for himself without a written or oral "will" attached to his properties and deposited fund, with the hope of transferring it to his country as soon as he is on leave. Since his death I have made several enquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful.
 
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you. I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Finance Company where this huge deposit were lodged particularly, the finance company where the deceased had the deposit valued at about 18.5million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have his deposited Fund confiscated within the next ten official working days.
 
Since i have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years now, I am seeking for your consent to present you, as the next of kin to the deceased so that the proceeds of this fund valued at 18.5million dollars can be Claim by you. On your wiliness to assist me i have agreed on this sharing ratio 60% to me and 30% to you, while 10% is mapped out for any expenses or tax as may be required by your government. We have to obtain all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we are making. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me by email also forward your full names and address, your private telephone and fax number for the transition of the required documents.
 
Upon the receipt of your response i will advice you on how to contact the Bank directly before the fund gets confiscated.
 
Best regards,
 
Barrister John Owen.

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