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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "into your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "barrister" (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.
  • mukacollins@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "collins muka" <collinsmuka_barr@msn.com>
Reply-To: barr_mukacollins@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2006 08:54:32 +0000
Subject: I look forward to hearing from you soon

From:Barrister Collins Muka Esq.
33 Ilaje Road,
Ilaje Barriga,
Nigeria.
TEL;234-80-23795970
E-mail:barr_ mukacollins@yahoo.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

Let me start by introducing myself I am Barrister Collins Muka (Esq.) I was
the Personal Attorney to late Mr. Morris Thompson an American who was a
private businessman unfortunately lost his life in the plane crash of
Alaska Airlines Flight 261 which crashed on January 31st 2000, including
his wife and only daughter.

You can read more about the crash on visiting these sites below,
1. http://www.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list
2. http://www.nativefederation.org/history/people/mThompson.html
Before the plane crash, Mr. Morris Thompson made a numbered fixed deposit
for 18 calendar months with a value of US$ 10,500,000.00 (TEN MILLION, FIVE
HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS) in a bank here in Nigeria.

Upon maturity several notice was sent to him, another notification was sent
and still no response came from him. I later found out that Mr. Morris
Thompson and his family had been killed in that plane crash. After further
investigation it was also discovered that Mr. Morris Thompson's next of
kin is his daughter who died with him.

What bothers me most is that according to the laws of my country at the
expiration 4 years the funds will revert to the ownership of the NIGERIA
GOVERNMENT, if nobody applies to claim the funds. Against this backdrop,
my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand as
the next of kin to Mr. Morris Thompson so that you will be able to receive
these funds for both of us.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE:
I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall
come out successfully. I prepare the necessary document that will back you
up as the next of kin to Mr. Morris Thompson.

PLEASE YOU PROVIDE YOUR FULL INFORMATION SUCH AS STATED BELOW,
[1] NAME: ________________________________
[2] ADDRESS: ____________________________
[3] AGE: _________________________________
[4] SEX: _________________________________
[5] TELEPHONE: __________________________
[6] FAX: _________________________________
[7] OCCUPATION STATUS: __________________
Also be informed that this Transaction will take us just 15 working days to
accomplish beginning from when I receive your Data's. After you have been
made the next of kin, I will also file an application to the bank on your
behalf as soon as I secure the necessary approval and letter of probate in
your favor for the movement of the funds to an account that will be
provided by you.

This process is 100% risk free as I have set out all the modalities to see
that a legalized method is used because the I will prepare all the
necessary documents. Please note that utmost secrecy and confidentiality is
required at all times during this transaction. Once
the funds have been transferred into your nominated bank account we shall
share in the ratio of 70% for me, 25% for you and 5% set aside for any
incidental expenses incurred during this transaction. If you are not
interested, please delete this letter so that I can scout for another
competent partner to conclude this transaction. Should you be interested
please send me your full names, telephone, fax number and email address.

I will prefer that you reach me via this email address ,barr_
mukacollins@yahoo.com, earliest response to this letter will be
appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Barrister Collins Muka
I look forward to hearing from you soon

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam