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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned 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.
• 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.
  • barjohkel@yahoo.com.vn (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR JOHN KELLY" <joh44kel@yahoo.com.au> (may be fake)
Reply-To: jk44ell@yahoo.com.vn
Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 18:03:59 -0700
Subject: HELP PLEASE

John & kelly Associate
Plot 2, Wuse Drive,
Cadastral Avenue.
Abuja-Nigeria.
E-mail: barjohkel@yahoo.com.vn </ym/Compose?To=barjohkel@yahoo.com.vn&YY=3250&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b>

Hello dear,

It is with heartfelt hope that I write to seek your co-operation and
assistance in the context stated below, I am Barrister John Kelly, the
personal Attorney to late Mr. undisclosed for security reasons. I got
your contact through the help of my sister-in-law that works with the
American Chambers of Commerce and Tourism, though, I did not disclose
to her my humble intention for an honest foreigner like you, having
noted the confidence reposed on your person by the sponsor of the
recommendation.

My late client whose identity yet remains closely guarded was a Chief
Executive officer of {Shell Development Company} for 15 years and he was
retired on the 22nd day of September 2005. After a month, My client and
his entire family died on their way to a Conference in a Plane crash on
the Oct 22 2005 Flight:210 Plane: Boeing 737-200 Town: Lagos - Nigeria.
Before his death my client had a total sum of US$20,500,000.00 with a
Finance/Trust House hoping of transferring the fund to his country
{West Germany} after his retirement as soon as he comes back from the
conference.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over
4years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the
deceased since your initials are similar to his, Benefits to be discussed
upon your acceptance with a backed up agreement.Please send me the
following informations to enable me send an application to the
Finance/Trust House on your behalf as the next of kin.

1)Your full names and address for applying for the claim and securing
the necessary documents in your names
2)Your Private telephone and fax numbers for easy communication and
transmitting of documents.
Please reply to my private mail box barjohkel@yahoo.com.vn </ym/Compose?To=barjohkel@yahoo.com.vn&YY=3250&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b>)
Thanks and God bless
Barrister John kelly

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam