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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "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. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "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)
  • "the consignment" (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 us 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.)
• 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.
  • jamesobih201@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "James Obih" <jamesobih02@mailbox.hu>
Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 09:29:11 +0100
Subject: Hello Sir/Madam,Please Contact me ASAP,


Barrister James Obih
23 Ahmed Onibudo Crescent,
Victoria Island,Lagos-Nigeria.

Hello Sir/Madam,

I am Barrister James Obih,I am personal Attorney to late Mr. Johnson
Sanxay,a national of your country, who used to work with Shell Development
Company in Nigeria. Herein 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 a car accident along sagbama express road, all occupants of the
vehicle unfortunately lost there lives, since then I have made several
enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives
this has also proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track any person who
can assist me to get this fund out from the security company; hence I got
your contact via the Internet.
I have contacted you to assist me in repatriating the money left behind by
my client before it get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the
Security Company where these huge deposits were lodged.

Particularly, the Security company, where the deceased had an amount valued
US$48.5 Million US Dollars conceal in box deposited with them as
family"TREASURE"for safety, has issued me a notice to provide the next of
kin or have the consignment sized within a short period of time .

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over three
years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the
deceased so that the proceeds of this amount of {US$48.5 Million Us
Dollars)can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money,70% to me
and 30% to you 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 reach on this private
email address :( jamesobih201@hotmail.com)

Please get in touch with me by my email to enable us discuss further.

But remember that confidentiality must be our watchword in this transaction.

Faithfully Yours,

Barrister James Obih, esq.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam