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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:
  • "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)
  • "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: "Mr. Agu Martins" <agumartins@spotdogspeople.com>
Reply-To: agumartins@yahoo.de
Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2006 17:50:19 -0700
Subject: PARTNERSHIP IN THE PROFITABLE BUSINESS



BARRISTER AGU MARTINS,
DONHILLS CHAMBERS
EAGLE HOUSE, PLOT 11;
AWOLOWO ROAD, IKOYI; LAGOS.
 
Dear Sir / Madam,
 
I wish you the best in life for you and your family, and I hope you
will receive this mail in good spirit and respond quickly with utmost
secrecy and confidentiality, I got your address through my
professional relationship in discharging my duties for my government,
and I am Barrister Agu Martins, an Attorney to Mr. Newman Smith, A
solicitor at

law. I am the personal attorney to Mr Newman Smith, a foreigner who is
an expertrate with Nigerian Oil development.
 
My Client Mr Newman Smith, and his whole family of wife and 2 kids
died in bomb blast in Lagos Nigeria on Sunday, 2 February, 2003. Take
a look at the bellow website for you perusal.
 
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2718295.stm>
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2698081.stm>
 
I have contacted you to assist in repatriating his money and property
left behind before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by
the Finance Company where this huge deposit was lodged. Well, the
deceased had the sum of US$14.7 Million Dollars (Family Treasure)
Saved with a Finance company. After notification of the death of the
deceased to the Finance Company, they issued me a notice to provide
the next of kin or have the Funds confiscated within the next 72 days.
 
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives that is
therefore why I seek your consent to purporting you as the next of kin
of the deceased so that the proceeds of this Amount valued at US$14.7m
Dollars can be paid to you as the bona fide approved Next of Kin by
the Finance Company. If you agree we can discuss the percentage you
will have as

compensationon your involvement.
 
I have all necessary papers that can be used to back up the facts and
claim on the Fund Release. All I require is your honest, cooperation
and Sincerity to enable us sees this deal go through. I guarantee that
this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect
you from any breach of the law. Please kindly contact me through
email.
 
Best regards,
Barrister Agu Martins

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam