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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: "Barrister Michael" <b_michael08@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: barrismichael@myway.com
Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2006 20:34:51 -0600
Subject: COMPLIMENTS

Dear Friend,
I am Barrister Michael Huntley, an attorney at law in London. A deceased client of mine, by name Mr. Johnnie Dickison died in New Orleans with his wife and two children as a result of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
 
I am contacting you to help assist me in ensuring that the funds lodged by my client with a security company in Canada, the security company did not decleared unclaimed hence my reason for this contact to you.
 
The security company has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin, or the funds will be confiscated.
 
My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary of my late client, so that the proceeds of this funds can be paid to you, Then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed-upon percentage.
 
All legal documents to back up your claim as my client's next-of-kin will be provided. All i require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through.
 
This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. If this business proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apology. Please contact me at once to indicate your interest.
 
However if you are willing to assist me in this venture i will establish a verbal telephone communication with you and bring you into a much better picture of the situation.
 
Best Regards,
Barrister Michael Huntley.
Morley House,
26-30 Holborn Viaduct,
London EC1A 2BP.

Anti-fraud resources: