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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +442070601036
• 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.
  • james_smith_040@fsmail.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "den williams" <denwilliams@johnmellencamp.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2006 11:59:41 +0000
Subject: YOUR ATTENSION IS NEEDED.

Dear Friend,

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
I am Mr. James Smith, Solicitor. I am the Personal Attorney to Engr.Thomas
smith, a National of United States of America, who used to work with Shell/Oil
Development Company in London as the Chief Engineer. On the 2nd of May 1999,
my client, his wife and their three children were
involved in a car accident along Cardiff Express Road. All occupants of the
vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.

Since then I have made several enquiries to their embassy to locate any of my
clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these
several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the
Internet, to locate any member of his family but to no avail hence I contacted
you to assist in repatriating the money that belong to my client before they
get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit
was lodged.

Particularly, the Bank where the late decease had an account valued at Five
million United States dollars has issued me a notice today to provide the Next
of kin or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working
days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 4
years now I seek your consent to present you as the Next of kin of the
deceased, so that the proceeds of this account valued at Five million united
states dollars only can be paid to your account For your assistance, you shall
be compensated with 30% of the fund while 5% should be for expenses or tax as
your government may require.

I will appreciate that you forward the following information so that we can
proceed immediately with the deal.
1. Your full name and address
2. Your telephone and fax numbers

all I require is your honest cooperation to enable us have this transaction
accomplished. I have all the documents (DEATH CERTIFICATE AND DEPOSIT
CERTIFICATE) that guarantee this transaction is executed under a legitimate
arrangement. This will protect everyone involved from breach of the law. We
will also send you text of claim application to fill out.
It is worthy to note that due to the nature of this transaction, absolute
confidentiality is required when the fund has been remitted into you. I must
assure you; once again, this transaction is safe and free from any encumbrance
because adequate arrangements have been put in place for its success. All is
required of you is absolute sincerity. Please contact me on my private email

Best regards,
Barrister James Smith
Fax: +442070601036
Email:james_smith_040@fsmail.net
-------------------------------------------------
This email was sent by a ClubCherryBomb.net member. John Mellencamp, Club
Cherry Bomb, Signatures Network and their respective affiliates and principals
are not responsible in any way for, and do not sponsor, authorize, or endorse
the contents of this email.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam