419 scam: "Tony Brwon" <tony_brown006@msn.com> URGENT REPLYgt; CALL FOR YOUR CRUDE OIL SHELL LOTTERY WINNING¸"

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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "% for any expenses which may be incurred" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "huge deposit" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "consignment " (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "sani abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Tony Brwon" <tony_brown006@msn.com>
Reply-To: tony_brown013@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 02:08:28 +0000
Subject: URGENT REPLY

Barrister TONY BROWN & Associate Palm grove House,
1 Shaam Ave, Ijora, Lagos State.
Alternative Email

( Dear Edward

I am barrister TONY BROWN A solicitor at law. I am the personal
attorney to
Mr.Frank Edward

, a national of your country, who used to work with
shell
development company in Nigeria and as well a one time secret agent in
transfering of money overseas for the Late head of state of Nigeria
{Late
Gen.SANI ABACHA}.
Before his death On the 21st of April 2001 client, his wife And their
three
children were involved in a car accident along shagam express road in
which
all occupants of the motor died}. My client{MR.FRANK}deposited as
family
belongings in a CONSIGNMENT {ie jewelries} the sum of $15m in a finance
company here in Nigeria for himself, with the hope of transferring it
to his
country as soon as he is on leave. Since his death I have made several
enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended
relatives
this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful
attempts, I decided to trace his last name over the Internet, to locate
any
member of his family hence I contacted you. I contacted you to assist
in
repartrating the money and property left behind by my client before
they get
confisicated or declared unserviceable by the Finance Company where
this
huge deposits were lodged. particularly, Citi Trust Securities &
Finance Ltd
where the deceased had anaccount valued at about 15million dollars has
issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account
confisicated within the next ten officialworking days. Since i have
been
unsuccesfull in locating the the relatives for over 3 years now I seek
your
consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you
have the
same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at 15million
dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money. 60%
to
me and 30% to you and 10% for any expenses which may be incurred in the
course ofthis transaction. I have the all necessary legal documents
that can
be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest
cooperation to enable us see this dealt through.I guarantee that this
will
be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from
any
breach of the law.Please get in touch with me by my email -or
alternative
email:Email:...........(to enable us discuss further, kindly forward
the
following information.
{A}.YOUR FULL NAME.
{B}.YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS.
{C}.YOUR TELEPHONE/FAX NUMBER.
{D} YOUR OCUPATION.
(E).YOUR AGE.
As soon as i receive your details, I will write an application to the
Finance House for immediate release of the fund to you as the
authorised
next of kin.
Thanks and God bless.
Barrister TONY BROWN

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam