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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:
  • "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)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • @worldemail.com

Fraud email example:

From: Williams Ayo <ayo_chambers@worldemail.com>
Date: Tue, 01 Aug 2006 09:53:46 -0500
Subject: Compliment of the season

Dear Sir,

Compliment of the season.

I don't know you but I decided to write to you seeking whether you can be of
immediate assistance,so do not feel bad receiving my mail.

I am Barr.Ayo Williams,personal attorney to Late Mr.Paul Geffken,a national of
United States who was born on the 7th day of Jan,1949 who untill his death had no
wife or children to claim his assets hence he was burried here.He was a Contractor
and spent most of his life in my country Nigeria.

My client was involved in a car accident and unfortunately lost his life on the
12th day of march,2003.Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of
his extended relatives,but this has proved unsuccessful.After these several
unsuccessful attempts to trace any member of his immediate family I decided to
contact you to assist in repatriating $6.5million he left behind before it gets
confiscated by the bank where these huge deposits are.

The said Bank in Nigeria has issued me a notice to provide the next-of-kin or
have the account confiscated.Since I have been unsuccessful in locating any of my
friend's relatives with time running out,I seek your consent to present you as the
next-of-kin to my late client so that the proceeds of the account can be paid to
you.

Therefore,on receipt of your positive response,we shall then discuss the sharing
ratio and modalities for claim.All I require from you is your honest co-operation
to enable us see this transaction through.I guarantee that this will be executed
under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

I wait to hear from you soonest.

Best regards,
Barr.Ayo Williams




--- Web based Email via @WorldEmail.com---

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam