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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
  • "million united states 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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: Nelson Goodluck <negoo_149@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <gnel01@myway.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2007 09:30:00 +0000
Subject: Please respond urgently



Please respond urgently Before I start,I must first Apologise for thisunsolicited mail to you.I am aware that this iscertainly an unconventional approach to starting a businessrelationship but as time goes on you will realize theneed for my action.My name is Nelson Goodluck a Solicitor and the personal Attorney to Williams Robert a foreigner, and a business man here in Nigeria.Here in after referred to as my Client.On the october 22, 2005,my client,his wife (the supposed next of kin) and theirtwo children were involved in a plane crash of Bellview airlines flight 210 .My Client and his entire family unfortunately lost their lives in theaccident.Since then I have made several enquiries toyour Embassy to locate any of my Client's extendedrelatives which has proved abortive.After theseseveral unsuccessful attempts, hence the need to contact you.My main reason for contacting you is to assist me insecuring the sum of USD25M(twenty fivemillion United States Dollars) left behind bymy Client before they are confiscated or declaredunservicable by the bank where they are deposited andlodged.Particularly the STANBIC BANK PLC where thedeceased has a fixed sum of USD25M(twenty fivemillion United States Dollars).The said bank has issued me a final notice toprovide the next of kin of my Client or they will beleft with no other choice than to confiscate hisfunds.Since I have been unsuccessful in locating my clientsrelatives for the past two years I seek your consentto present you as the next of kin of my client,goingby the fact ,that the said fund as stated above i.e the sum of USD25M(twenty fivemillion United States Dollars) can be paid to youinstead of leaving it for STANBIC BANK PLC,we cantake part of it and leave the rest for Charity.I have all necessary legal documents that can be usedto back up any claim we may make.All I require is yourhonest co-operation to enable us see this arrangementthrough.You will be entitled to 40% of the sum of US$25MI guarantee that this will be executed under alegitimate arrangement that will protect you from anybreach of the law.Please reply if you are interestedFinally kindly give me your confidential Phone and faxnumbers so that I can communicate with you easily. Best regards,Barrister Nelson Goodluck
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam