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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "huge deposit" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +2348034630381 (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.
  • att_louis_mbanefochambers@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "louis mbanefo" <att_louis_private@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2005 18:48:54 +0100
Subject: Dear Sir/Madam,

FROM:ATTORNEY LOUIS MBANEFO,(ESQ)
LOUIS MBANEFO & ASSOCIATES,
711,C CLOSE,ATTORNEYS AVE,
FESTAC TOWN, LAGOS - NIGERIA.
TELEPHONE NO: +234-80-3463-0381


Dear Sir/Madam,

It is with the greatest regard and ploy that i indite seeking your trust and
unflinching support in this legitimate proposal of mine. I am Attorney
Mbanefo,(A Senior Advocate Of Nigeria), the Personal Attorney to Mr Frank
Morris, A foreigner and the Chief Executive Officer of Zandas Petrochemical
Industries in Nigeria.

My client died in an plane crash. Before his death my client Deposited the
total sum of US$20,000,000.00 In a Finance House hoping to transfer the fund
to his country as soon as he comes back from the conference.

www.wsws.org/articles/2002/may2002/nige-m07.shtml

I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients
extended relatives,after his untimely death, but this plight proved
abortive,Thus I opted to contact you, to seek your assistance in pulling of
this fund left behind by my client before they get confisticated or declared
unserviceable by The Finance House where this huge deposits were lodged.

I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since
he died without a will, I would remit to you 30% of the fund, 550% to me
and While 15% can be also paid to you as the Next Of Kin and incase you
spend any money for a Sworn Affidavit Of True Next Of Kin.

If you intend helping in the retrieval of this fund into your nominated
account, then forward the following information;
(1). YOUR FULL NAME.
(2). YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS.
(3). YOUR AGE, SEX AND OCCUPATION.
(4). YOUR INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT OR DRIVERS LICENSE.
(5). YOUR TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS.
(6). YOUR MARITAL STATUS AND RELIGION.
(7). YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

With the above information,i will be able to make a formal application to
the Finance House, presenting you as the Next Of Kin to my late client,s
estate.The Bank would then contact you to ascertain the authenticity of my
cliam, and thus effect the payment of this fund to you as the
beneficiary,while i act as your attorney and guide.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transfer
through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement.

Please get in touch with me by my secured and confidential e-mail address at
att_louis_mbanefochambers@yahoo.com to enable us have an explicit
discussion.

I wait for your positive and urgent reply.

Best of regards.
Attorney Louis Mbanefo.
+234-80-3463-0381

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam