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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:
  • "million united states 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)
  • "this business is hitch free " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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.
  • ben_koffaa@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister Benkofa" <barrister_benkofa_san2@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2006 00:28:31 +0000
Subject: TO BE THE NEXT OF KIN OF MR. BARRY KELLY


Barrister Ben Kofa & CO
Tel/Fax: 234 8033355998
E-mail: ben_koffaa@yahoo.com

I am Barrister Ben Kofa, a solicitor at law. I am the
personal attorney to Mr. Barry Kelly, He was the CEO
to a private firm here in Nigeria. Here in after shall
be referred to as my client. On the August 6, 1997,
my client Mr. Barry Kelly died from an automobile
accident. Since the demise of my client, I personally
has watched with keen interest to see his next of kin
but all has proved abortive as no one has come to
claim his funds deposit of US$25M, (Twenty Five
Million united states dollars) which was deposited by
my late client with Diamond Bank Limited here in
Nigeria.

On this note, I decided to seek for a foreigner who
will stand as the Next of kin to claim this funds from
the Diamond Bank Limited where the funds was
deposited, as none of the deceased relative
has come up to claim the deceased funds.
The banking ethics here does not allow such money
to stay more than Nine years, after which the funds
will be forfeited to the government account as
unclaimedfunds. I will not Fail to bring to your notice
thatthis business is hitch free and that you should not
entertain any fear as all modalities for fund transfer
will be finalized within ten (10) banking days
depending on how fast we can communicate. I have
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 deal through. I guarantee that this will be
executed under a legitimate arrangement that will
protect you from any breach of the law.

Please reply to my private e-mail:
ben_koffaa@yahoo.com

Best regards,
Barrister Ben kofa

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam