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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "barr." (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.

Fraud email example:

From: johndebest@zipmail.com.br
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2006 05:52:56 -0700
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?=2E=2E=2E=2E=2E=2EPRIVATE=20AND=20CONFIDENTIAL=2E=2E=2E=2E=2E=2E?=

>From the Desk of
Barr.John best
Consult Associate Chambers
lagos-Nigeria

Dear ,

I am .Barr.John best, a solicitor at law,personal attorney to a national
of your country,who used to work with Shell Development Company in Lagos
Nigeria. Here in after shall be referred to as my client. On the 21st of
April 2004, my client, his wife and their only daughter were involved in
a car accident along Ecowas express Road Nigeria.

All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives. Since then
I have made several enquiries to your embassyhere to locate any of my
clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these
several unsuccessful attempts,I decided to trace his last name over the
Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.I have
contacted you
to assist in retrieving the fund valued at US$17.5 million left behind
by my client before it gets confiscated or declared unserviceable by the
Security Finance Firm where this huge amount were deposited.

The said Security Finance Company has issued me a notice to provide the
next of kin or have his account confiscated within the next twenty one
official working days.
Since I have been unsuccessfully in locating the relatives for over 2years
now, I seek the consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased
since you have the same last names, so that the proceeds of this account
can be paid to you.Therefore,on accept of your positive response, we shall
then discuss the sharing ratio and modalities for transfer.

I have all necessary information and legal documents needed to back you
up for claim.

All I require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this
transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of thelaw.Please get
in touch with me through the above email for more details .

Best Regards.
Barr.John best

......PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL......

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam