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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:
  • "huge deposit" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money)
  • "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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348060086736 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • mikeidu001@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: Michael Idu <mikeidu001@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2005 15:57:27 +0100
Subject: Dear Walter

Dear Walter
                                      TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
I am Mr Michael Idu ,Solicitor. I am the Personal Attorney to Engr.Thomas Walter a National of United State of America, who used to work with Shell/Oil Development Company in Nigeria as the Chief Engineer. On the 2nd of may 1999, my client, his wife And their  three children were involved in a car accident along Third Mainland Bridge Ikorodu Express Road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.

Since then I have made several enquiries to their 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 to no avail hence I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money that belong to my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit was lodged.

Particularly, the Bank where the late decease had an account valued at about Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars  has issued me a notice today to provide the Next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days.Since i have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 4 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 Three million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars Only  can be paid to your account For your assistance, you shall be compensated with 20% of the fund while 5% should be for expenses or tax as your government may require.

I will appreciate that you forward the following information so that we can proceed immediately with the deal.
1. Your full name and address
2. your telephone and fax numbers

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us have this transaction accomplished. I have all the documents (DEATH CERTIFICATE AND DEPOSIT CERTIFICATE) that guarantee this transaction is executed under a legitimate arrangement. This will protect everyone involved from breach of the law.I will also send you text of claim application to fill out. You shall be expect to fill it out and forwarded to the bank, requesting for the immediate remittance of the fund into your nominated account.

It is worthy to note that due to the nature of this transaction absolute confidentiality is required when the fund has been remitted into your nominated account.I must assure you, once again, this transaction is safe and free from any encumbrace because adequate arrangement have been put in place for its success. All is required of you is absolute sincerity.

Please get in touch with me on my number Tel:234-80-60086736 to enable us discuss further.
Best regards,

Barrister Michael Idu
Idu Chambers & Associates,
Legal Practitioner & Public Notaries
102 Victoria Garden
Ikoyi-Lagos.Nigeria
Tel:234-80-60086736
mikeidu001@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam