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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "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.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "sadiq ahmed" <ahmedsadiq1@klikni.cz>
Reply-To: sadiqsadiq2008@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 25 May 2008 00:09:12 -0700
Subject: I NEED YOUR HELP


From: Barrister Sadiq El Ahmed

Dear friend ,

I am Barrister Sadiq El Ahmed a Solicitor. I am the Personal Attorney to
Micheal, a FOREIGNER who was a textile merchant. On the 21st of April
2004, 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 trace his
relatives over the Internet,to locate any member of his family but of no
avail, hence I contacted you .

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and properties
left behind by my late client before they get confiscated or declared
unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit were lodged.Particularly,
the Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about $14.5 million
dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the
account confiscated within the next 14 official working days.

since i have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 3 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 $14.5million dollars can be
paid to you and then you and me can share the money 55% to me and 40% to
you, while 5% should be for expenses or tax as your government may
require.

I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any
claims we may make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us
see this transaction through. I guarantee that this transaction will be
executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any
breach of the law.

If you are interested kindly fillthe information below in your reply.

First Name: Last
Name:...........................................................................................


Occupation:...............................................................................................................


Nationality:................................................................................................



Phone:...................................................
......................................................


Fax:...........................................................................................................



Status:........................................................................................................


Best regards.

Barrister Sadiq El Ahmed(Esq).

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam