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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:
  • "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. )
  • "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)
  • "million 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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "lome togo" (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: Barrister So Azuh <barr_sazuh70@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <barr_solomonazuh@voila.fr>
Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2007 13:13:44 -1000
Subject: Dear Piet.



FROM: BARRISTER SOLOMON AZUHLEGAL PRACTITIONERS & SOLICITORS,RUE 15, ADEWILOME, TOGO.OCTOBER 4TH, 2007
Dear Piet,
Re: Regarding Late Mr. G. B. Piet.
I am Barrister Solomon Azuh, a barrister & solicitor at law. I was the Personal attorney to Mr. G. B. Piet, a national of your country, who used to own an oil servicing company in Lome Togo. Herein after shall be referred to as my client.
On the 31st of October, 2005, my client, his wife and their three Children were involved in a car accident along Lome- Cotonou express road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. I know that my client had no living kin but I went ahead and made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives but this has proved unsuccessful.I only did so to be double sure of this fact.
I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged, particularly the National Bank for Industries Lome Togo where the deceased had an account valued at about US$4.2 million dollars has issued me a notice that in the event that no next of kin comes up for the claim, the account will be confiscated after four years if not claimed.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at 4.2million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money.50% shall be for me and 40% for you while 10% is ear marked for expenses that will be incurred during the process of Transfer of the fund.
I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. 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. I look forward to your urgent response.
Best regards,Barrister Solomon Azuh.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam