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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Jose Luis" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <officefilechamber@lawyer.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2011 22:22:30 +0100
Subject: [GSN Suspected Spam] This is for your attention.


Hello.

Compliment of the day, I am Barrister JOSE LUIS, an expert at co-operate and legal claims. I'm contacting you in regard to a deceased client of mine who was a victim of a car accident on the Madrid Burgos Highway (M40) in March 2005, a prominent client of mine who happens to share the same LAST NAME with you

Before his death, my client deposited ($5.7 Million USD) Five Million Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars at the vault of a financial institution here in Europe, and documentations regarding these indicates that claims must be to his relative/family member. The deceased who died by accident unfortunately died without will. I have contacted the white and yellow page in-search of his relatives but have unfortunately not succeeded
.
It has been called to my attention that the New EUROPEAN UNION LAW of succession/inheritance claims indicates a duration in which such claims could be tolerated. I have recently been mandated by the Institution demanding me to present a relative of the deceased whom could be the next of kin/beneficiary of the said funds. Failure to respond to this ultimatum would legally allow the financial institute to report this fund to the European Central Bank (ECB) as unclaimed funds.

I and my colleagues have succeeded in reuniting almost all the necessary requirements concerning the release of this funds and it is my intention to present this opportunity to you as the beneficiary. Please note that I'm legally equipped with all the necessary information/documentations concerning this fund. Upon your decision to accept the proposal.

I would process the release of this fund to your possession; you would be entitled to 30% of the said funds and 70% for me. For security reasons, I have decided not to add more information into this letter, but immediately you get in touch with me with your contact details, I would be able to inform you on how this could be concluded.

In conclusion, it is my concern to demand your ultimate honesty, co-operation and confidentiality to enable us conclude this transaction. I GUARANTEE that this process would be executed under a legitimate arrangement that would legally protect you from any breech of Law.

Please get in touch with me by my private, secured, and confidential E_mail below immediately you acknowledge the good receipt of this message, do not forget to include copy of your identification, your complete address, and your direct telephone/fax so that I can put a call through to you for an extensive discussion on this deal.

Anticipating your prompt response.

Regards,

BARRISTER, JOSE LUIS
DESPACHO DE ABOGADO
PLAZA MAYOR,1,BJ,28911
MADRID-SPAIN
officefilechamber@gmail.com

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