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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)
  • "inheritance tax" (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "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: "ben williams" <ben_williams3@msn.com>
Reply-To: ben_williams1@walla.com
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 14:15:33 +0000
Subject: VERY URGENT AND CONFIDIENTIAL.

Barrister Ben Williams.,
Principal Partner,
Ben Williams. & Associates.
36 Fola Agoro Street,
Lagos.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Ben Williams., personal attorney to Mr PATRICK
A SMITH, an expartriate who used to work with Nigeria
Agip Oil Company (NAOC), here in Nigeria.

On the 21st of December 2004, my client was killed in
an auto mobile accident.Since then I have made
several enquiries to locate any of my client's
extended relatives. This has proved unsuccessful.
After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to> trace
his relatives over the Internet hence I
contacted you.

I contacted you to assist me in repartriating the money
left behind by my client before they get confiscated
or declared unserviceable by the bank where this
deposit was lodged.The name of the bank is Trans international
bank,where the deceased had an account valued at US$40,300,000.00


The bank issued me a notice to provide the next-of-
kin or have the account confiscated. Since I have
been unsuccessful in locating the the relatives,
I seek your consent to present you as the Next-of-kin to the deceased,
sothat the proceeds of this account valued
at US$40.300,000.00 can bepaid to you and then you
and me can share the money; 55% to me and 40% to you,
while 5% will be for expenses and inheritance tax, as your government may
require.

I have all necessary legal documents that will be
used to back up our inherittance claims. All I
require is your honest co-operation to enable us see
the deal through. I guarantee that this will be
executed under a legitimate arrangement that will
protect you from any breach of the law.

Yours faithfully,

Barrister Ben Williams.
Get back to me on (ben_williams1@walla.com)


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam