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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:
  • "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.
  • kuffi_kweku@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Kuffi Kweku" <kuffi_kweku@msn.com>
Reply-To: kuffi_kweku@myway.com
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2005 00:27:15 +0000
Subject: A CONTRACTOR HERE

Principal attorney
(Kweku & associate Chambers)
Accra,
Ghana.

ATTN:

I am Barrister Kuffi Kweku (Esq.).a solicitor at Law
and Personal Attorney to Mr. Arthur. Franklin, Surname not mentioned for
security reasons. But a foreigner who worked as a contractor here in Accra
Ghana. Thereafter shall be referred to as my late client. On the 30th of
April 2003, my client was involved in a car accident along Accra express
Road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since
then I have made several enquiries here to locate any of my clients extended
relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to search through with
his name which motivated me to contact you to locate any member of his
family hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating
the fund valued at US$12 million left behind by my late client before it
gets confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge
amount were deposited.
The said Security Finance Company/bank has issued me a notice to provide the
next of kin or have his account confiscated within the next twenty one
(21days) official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating
the relatives for over (1) year now, I seek the consent to present you as
the next of kin to the deceased to the Security Finance Firm / (bank), so
that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you. Therefore on receipt
of your positive response, we shall then discuss the sharing ratio and
modalities for transfer and I will provide an application which you will
submit to the Security Finance Firm/bank as his next of kin for payment
Approval . You should note that I have all necessary information and legal
documents needed to back you up the claims of the said funds.All I
required from you is your honest co-operation to enable us see this
Transaction successfully,

I await your immediate respond.

THANKS.

Barrister Kuffi_Kweku (Esq.).
Alternative: kuffi_kweku@msn.com,

kuffi_kweku@myway.com.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam