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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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:
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "barr." (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: "PHILLIP EGOBIA" <phibia@msn.com>
Reply-To: sameze720@msn.com
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2005 13:11:19 +0000
Subject: Barr. Sammuel Ezima

Sir/Madam,

I am Barrister.Sammuel Ezima (LLB), principal partner of Wheeler Chambers,
London, United Kingdom.l am the personal attorney to Engr. Ross Bubb, an
expatriate with Chevron Development Company, United Kingdom who died in an
auto crash along South Norwood Highway, London on the 21st of April 1999. He
deposited the sum of Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars
in his fixed deposit account with a bank, here in London. All efforts to
reach his relatives have proved abortive after his death, following the
notification from his bank to present his beneficiary or his account will be
declared dormant and unclaimed based on their policy. This mandate compels
me to present any of the family's relatives of my late client to his bank.

Since the decease is from your country and also bears same surname with you,
l have contacted you to assist in the claim/transfer of this money to you. I
will prepare every necessary documentation as proof , furnish you with
adequate information about my late client that will back you up in this
claim and l shall provide all legal services to warrant the release of this
money to you within 10 working days after l must have filed in for claim in
your favour

l am highly delighted and willing to work with you in this matter and will
appreciate if you will acknowledge your interest by forwarding your full
names, home address telephone and fax numbers to enable me apply to his bank
for commencement. A copy of my application letter will be sent to you for
your view, update and documentation.

I look forward to your prompt reply.

Yours sincerely,
Barr. Sammuel Ezima
Wheeler Chambers
44+7040-110955

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam