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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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.
• 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.
  • bar_falana@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "bar_femifalana" <bar_femifalana@terra.com.mx>
Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2006 19:59:05 -0600
Subject: AWAIT YOUR REPLY


FROM THE DESK OF
Barrister.Femi Falana
54 Broad Str Lagos
Alternative email:bar_falana@hotmail.com
Dear Sir,
I am Barrister.Femi Falana, a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Mr. Ali Bashir a national of your country,who used to work with Shell Development Company in Nigeria.
On the 21st of April 2002, Ali Bashir , were involved in car accident along shagamu express road in which all occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives.
The said Finance security Company has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confisicated within the next fourteen official working days.
Fervent valuable efforts has being made by me to get in touch with any of the family or relatives to avail.
Since I have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives of my client for over 3 years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased.I now decided to work with you so that the proceeds of this account valued at USD$10.2 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money, 70% to me and 30% to you, All documents and proof that will enable you get this fund will be carefully worked out and more I am assuring you of a 100% risk free involvement.
All I require from you 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 get in touch with me by my email and send to me your telephone and fax numbers to enable us discuss further about this transaction.
Best regards,
Bar.Femi Falana
AWAIT YOUR REPLY

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam