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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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.)
  • "barr." (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.
• 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.
  • ubaxx1121@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Abraham Benson" <ab_xx7@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: ubaxx1121@myway.com
Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2006 16:41:53 +0000
Subject: CLAIM THE ESTATE FUND OF LATE MR. CHRISTENSEN TAXI

ABRAHAM & ASSOCIATES CHAMBERS.
Plot 2B Alin way Igbosere Road,
Ikrodu Zone AB413
Lagos - Nigeria.
Tel:  +234-01-996-4459
Private Email: ubaxx1121@myway.com
 
Attn: Sir
           
     (CLAIM TO BE THE NEXT OF KIN TO FUND ESTATE OF LATE MR.  CHRISTENSEN TAXI)

With due respect I appologies for any offence you may feel with these, but I sincerely plead for your consent/honesty and kindly attention to this letter.
 
I am Barrister Abraham  Benson, Solicitor and personal attorney to Late Mr. Christensen Taxi the cheif contractor of CHEVRON and TEXACO OIL CORPORATION plc. On April 21st, 2003 my client (MR.CHRISTENSEN TAXI) was involved on a car accident along Lagos-Porthacurt Rivers state of Nigeria which took the lives of all occupants of the vehicle.
 
Note, I am contacting you to assist in repatriating the huge amount left behind by the deceased before it get confiscate or declared unserviceable by the Bank where these huge deposits were lodged. The Bank were the deceased had an account valued at about US$7.5 million has issued me a notice to provide the deceased next of kin or have his account confiscated within the next 30 official working days. For this reason, I wish to present you as the next of kin so that the Bank will transfer the said fund to you as the beneficiary after which YOU and I will sahre the money on the percentage will shall agree on.

Have it in mind that this deal will be highly confidential as is only both of us knew that you are not the bonafide next of kin, as a mater of fact, I will provide you with all the legal banking documents that will empower you over the fund and make the deal 100% risk free and legitimate.
 
At all thanks I will sincerely appreciate your understand and co-operation by pulling out this great deal with me. Please note the CONFIDENTIAL NATURE of this business for security reasons. Remember to include your private telephone number so that I can call you for further discussion.
 
Best regards
Barr. Abraham Benson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam