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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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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)
  • "million us dollars" (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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "barr_fredwill01" <barr_fredwill01@terra.com.mx>
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 03:34:45 -0600
Subject: YOU AS THE NEXT THE KINS


BARRISTER FRED CHAMBERS,
NO 1765 MARINA STREET,
VICTORIA, ISLAND LAGOS
NIGERIA.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Barrister. Fred Williams an attorney at law. I am the Personal Attorney to Mr. Richard Smith, who used to work with Dantax Petroleum Nigeria Limited. On the 4th of May 2003, my client, his wife and their three children were involved a fatal plane crash in jos. All passengers on board including my late client, his wife and two kins lost their lives.
Since then I have made several enquires to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has proved rather unsuccessful.I have therefore contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confisticated or declared unserviceable by the bank in which his fund were deposited since both of you are foreigners.
Particularly,the Bank where the deceased operated an account valued to the tune of (10.5million US dollars) has issued me a notice to provide the next of Kin or have the account revoked within the next 14 official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for close to 2 years now.
I solicit your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased so that the proceeds of his account can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money to a ratio of 6:3,meaning I take 60% and you'll get 30% 10% will map out for expences.
I have all the necessary legal document that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
Best regards
Barrister. Fred Williams.(esq).
Becon Smith.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam