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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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Fraud email example:

From: "kelvin barnes" <kelvin_barnes7@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2005 19:04:55 +0000
Subject: partnership in business

Dear Friend,
I write to seek your co-operation as my foreign partner and your
assistance.I apologize if this mail message does not suit your personal or
business ethics.

My names are Kelvin Barnes an attorney to a deceased Immigrant and
property magnate who was based in the U.K, Also referred herein as my
client.On the 25th of July 2000, my client, his wife and their two Children
died in the Air France plane crash bound for New York in their plan for a
world cruise, Since then, I have been managing his properties here in
the U.K,he also sold some,brokered by me and the money paid was
deposited into his account.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property
left behind by my client before they get confisticated or declared
unserviceable by his bank.Particularly, the bank has issued me a notice to
provide any of his next of kin or have the account confisticated within
a short time.My late client has an account valued at 15.5million
dollars. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for some
time now, and with the bank giving me a deadline,I now seek your consent
to present you as the next of kin of the deceased, so that the proceeds
of this account valued at 15.5 million dollars can be paid to you and
then, you and I can share the money.60% to me amounting to
US$9,300,000.00 dollars and 30% for you amounting to US$4,650,000.00 and 10%
amounting to US$1,550,000.00 for miscellaneous expenses that might arise.
Half of my share will be donated to assist victims of natural disasters
and the rest re-invested.I have all necessary information that can be used
to back up any Claim we may make.

All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal
through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.Send me your
full names and address, tel and fax numbers to enable us discuss further
Please reply to my private email: kelvinbarnes7@yahoo.co.uk.
Best Regards
Kelvin Barnes
United Kingdom.
Tel :44 871 722 1131


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