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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:
  • "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.
  • barristerread@netscape.net

Fraud email example:

From: "lionel read" <bar_lionelread1956@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2006 09:15:52 +0000
Subject: VERY URGENT

FROM THE OFFICE OF LIONEL READ(QC)
BAR COUNCIL OFFICE,
15 Old Square
Lincoln's Inn
London WC2A 3UE .
LONDON,ENGLAND

Dear Partner,

Greetings! For this letter is strictly personal, intimate and
confidential.Forgive this unusual manner of contacting you,but this
particular letter is of exceptional and very private nature. There is
absolutely going to be a great doubt and distrust in your heart in respect
of this email, coupled with the fact that, so many miscreants have taken
possession of the Internet to facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby
making it extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate business class
persons to get attention and recognition.
There is no way for me to know whether I will be properly understood, but it
is my duty as a (QC) in England to write and reach out to you. For I know
that you are the only one that can be trusted to handle this project
effectively without making us regret.

I am Barrister Lionel Read(QC) practising in all areas of tax, but more
particularly, private client work - IHT, CGT, trust tax, offshore tax; also
charities and Inland Revenue prosecutions in complex tax evasion cases.I am
personal lawyer to late Engr.Brad a native of your country who was working
in an oil producing company in Nigeria. On October 2001 my client died
during the oil exploration in an oil-bunkering crisis in warri Delta state
of Nigeria, and he died in testate. Furthermore, my client has in his
account valued at 8.7millionUSD a deposit with a bank in Nigeria (HALLMARK
BANK PLC)
My client supposed next of kin died also during the blast, all effort
to contact any of his relation proved abortive.The banking law and guideline
act 00.02 of the foreign beneficiary fund release stipulates that if such
fund remain uncliamed after the exsisting period of four years, as the fund
shall be automatically transfered into the bank treasury account as
uncliamed fund I do not want the bank to transfer the funds into the bank
treasury as unclaimed funds. I'm hereby making a confidencial business
proposition for you to stand as the next of kin to my late client because
you bear the same last name with my client.
The principal amount will be shared 50% for me 40% for you and 10% for
all expenses incurred during the transaction. Note this transaction is 100%
risk free as you will not appear in person as soon as the transaction
progresses I'll be the one traveling down to Nigeria. Your communication
with the bank should be on calls and emails and all these are to be treated
as confidential as all document backing this transaction will be taken care
of legally as at when due. Be rest assured that this transaction is
profitable to both of us and you won't regret being part of it.
Trust is definitely the most noble trait in the world, and I urge you to
trust my sincerity and the word of a simple and humble person of faith, who
in the name of love for her equals is willing to
accomplish the task of doing business with a trusted and transparent person.
It is up to you to decide whether this letter deserves your trust and
confidentiality. And if indeed it does, send me the following:
Full Name
Address
Occupation
Nationality
Mobile/phone number
Fax
Age
Sex

With these available details I'll file an application in your name,
after which I'll send you an official letter of claim for you to send to the
bank via email.
Whatever your actions and your decision, I thank you for taking the time to
read my email.

Best Regards.
Barrister Lionel Read (QC)

Attention: Please Signify Your Interest by replying through my official
email address below.
(barristerread@netscape.net)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam