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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "huge deposit" (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: "bdwilliams14" <bdwilliams14@bol.com.br>
Date: Tue, 30 May 2006 01:14:10 -0300
Subject: Treat As Urgent


>From The Desk Of:
Barrister Douglas williams.
Williams And Associates
Address: Plot 38 Achiata
Orile Iganmu Lagos-Nigeria
Good Day Ong,
I am Barrister Douglas williams, a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Mr.Mack Ong, a national of your Country, a contractor with Maxoil Petroleum Company in Nigeria, herein after shall be referred to as my client. On the 21 Day of April 2001, my client, his wife and their only son were involved in a car accident along Murtala Mohammed Airport Road, Lagos. So My client unfortunately lost there lives.
Hence I have contacted you to assist in repartrating the money left behind by my client before they get confisicated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged. Now the Bank, where the deceased had an account valued at about US$18.8million dollars has issued me a notice to Provide the Next of Kin or have the account confisicated. I tried to locate his relation but to no avail.
Since I have been unsuccesfully in locating the relatives, I seek your consent to present you as the Next of Kin of the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$18.8million dollars can be transfer to you and then you and I can share the money 35% for you and 60% for me While 5% is mapped out for expenses as your government may demand for tax and it also covers your telephone bills.
All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect both parties from any breach of the law.
Please contact me if this transaction interest you to enable us discuss further also you are advice to furnish me with your telephone number including your fax number, your mobile phone as well including your date of birth, your proffession and your full contact address to enable me use it to obtain all the necessary Legal documents that will enable us claim the fund from the bank.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Best Regards,
Barrister Douglas williams (Esq)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam