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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
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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.)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • barristerpaulson@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Michel Paulson <barr_paulsonsit2@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2007 08:41:02 +0000
Subject: I hope to hear from yu soonest



FROM : BARRISTER MICHEL PAULSON.( LLB ).
PRINCIPAL PARTNER
PAULSONS CHAMBERS.LOME REP.OF TOGO.DEAR FRIEND,

I BEG YOUR PARDON. I AM BARRISTER MICHEL PAULSON.( LLB ). PERSONAL ATTORNEY TO LATE ENGR. JONATHAN PRIMUS, A NATIONAL OF AMERICA. MY CLIENT ENGR. JONATHAN PRIMUS HAS IN DEPOSIT, THE SUM OF US$12.7 MILLION DOLLARS ONLY WITH (UNION TOGOLAISE TRUST BANK WEST AFRICA) BEFORE HIS SUDDEN DEATH. PLEASE THIS TRANSACTION WILL BE HANDLE UNDER LEGAL COVERAGE. THERE IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE SO THAT WE CAN TRANSFER THE FUND INTO YOUR ACCOUNT FOR INVESTMENT .

THEN WE SHALL SHARE THE FUND IN THE RATIO OF 60% TO ME, 40% TO YOU. ALL I REQUIRE IS YOUR HONEST CO-OPERATION TO ENABLE US SEE THAT THIS TRANSACTION GOES THROUGH. I GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL BE EXECUTED UNDER A LEGITIMATE ARRANGEMENT THAT WILL PROTECT BOTH OF US. I WAS MANDATED BY THE BANK TO PROVIDE THE NEXT OF KIN TO INHERIT THE FUND OF MY LATE CLIENT. I HEREBY ADVICE YOU TO KEEP THIS TRANSACTION SECRET TO YOURSELF ALONE.
LET ME HAVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FROM YOU:YOUR FULL NAME:.....................................
CONTACT ADDRESS:..........................................YOUR PHONE NUMBER :............................MY DEAR I WILL PROVIDE EVERY NECESSARY INFORMATION TO ENABLE YOU STAND AS NEXT OF KIN AND CLAIM THIS FUND. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND GUIDE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. YOURS TRULY,
BARRISTER MICHEL PAULSON.( LLB ).
PRINCIPAL PARTNER
PAULSONS CHAMBERS.REPLY TO:barristerpaulson@gmail.com
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam