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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 friend" (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: tommy smith <barristertommy202@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2006 00:27:14 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Urgent Response Needed:Piper


TOMMY SMITH CHAMBERS,
LEGAL PRACTITIONER AND PUBLIC NOTARY &
HIGH COURT REPRESENTATIVE
SUITE 202 OMEGA PLAZA, APAPA
LAGOS - NIGERIA.

Dear Friend,

I am Barrister Tommy Smith,a solicitor at law.I am
the personal attorney to Mr.Alam Piper,a national
of your country,who used to work with Mobil Oil
company in Nigeria. Here in after shall be referred to
as my client,On the 21st of April 2002, my client,his
wife and their three children were involved in an Auto
Crash All occupants of the Vehicle unfortunately lost
their lives. Since then I have made several enquirers
to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended
relatives this has also proved unsuccessful.
I have contacted you to assist in repatriating most of his things
especially,the Money left behind by my client before
they get confiscated or declared Unserviceable by the
bank were this huge deposit were lodged,
Particularly the Bank where the deceased Had an
account valued at about $8.6 million dollars,the bank have
issued me a notice to provide the Next of kin,or have
the account confiscated. I seek your consent to
present you as the Next of kin of the deceased since
you are a foreigner so that the proceeds of
this account Valued at $8.6 million dollars can be
paid to you, as my clients Next
of Kin,and then we can share the amount on a mutually
agreed percentage.All legal documents to back up your
claim as the deceased Next of Kin,will be provided.
All I require is your honest co-operation 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.Please get in
touch with me by my e-mail to enable us discuss
further.Iwill want you to send to me on your return
email the following information for the transfer in
your favour.
1, Your full Name,
2, Your contact Address
3, Your private phone ,Mobile and fax numbers for easy
communicating.
4, Your occupation
5, Your age.
Best Regards
Barrister Tommy Smith Esq.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam