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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:

• 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)
  • "into your nominated bank account" (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.
• 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.
  • +23417622681 (Nigeria, landline)
• 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.
  • edward_benson040@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "barr benson" <barr_edwardbenson@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 06 Sep 2006 02:56:20 +0000
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION NEEDED

EDWARD ASSOCIATES & CHAMBERS.
Solicitors & Advocates,
Lagos- Nigeria.
Tel:234-1-7622-681

Compliment.

Dear Friend,

I crave your indulgence for the unsolicited nature of this letter, but it
was borne out of desperation and current development. Please bear with me.

My name is Barrister Philip Williams, a legal practitioner and the personal
Attorney to late Mr. Raymond Beck who died in an air crash along With his
wife Mrs.Dorene Beck on the 31st October 1999 in an Egyptian airline 990
with other passengers on board (May their soul rest in peace) I know that my
client had no living kin but I went ahead and made several inquiries to
their embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives but this has
proved unsuccessful. You can confirm this from the website below which was
published by BBC.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/world/americas/502503.stm

I only did so to be double sure of this fact. I have contacted you to assist
in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they
get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where these huge
deposits were lodged, particularly the Access Bank of Nigeria Plc where the
deceased had an account valued at about $25 Million Dollars.The bank has
issued me a notice that in the event that no next of kin comes up for the
claim, the account will be confiscated after Six years if not claimed and we
have just about few months.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over three
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 US$25 Million
Dollars can be paid into your nominated bank account and then we can share
the money in the mode 60% for me and 40% for you.

I have all neccessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim
we may make. All I require is your honest Co-operation to enable us seeing
this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. If you agree
to do this deal with me please inform me via email or call me on Tel Nr:
+234-1-7622681 but for confidentiality send mail to my email
address:edward_benson040@yahoo.com I would also prefer if you can invest my
share in your company or in any other area you deem profitable. I will give
you detailed information as soon as you indicate your interest.

Please keep this very confidential even if you do not want to be part of it.
God bless you as you respect this principle. I thank you in anticipation of
your kind response.

Best Regards,

BARRISTER PHILIP WILLIAMS

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam