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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• 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)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • barreddyrich@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: barreddyrich2@zipmail.com.br
Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2006 17:05:26 +0000
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?dear=20friend?=

Dear dear friend
Firstly, not to cause you embarrassment, I am Barr. edward richardson, A
Solicitor at law and the personal attorney to late Mr. Richard Burns a National
of England, who used to be a Motor Sport Rally Racer herein after shall
be referred to as my client. On Saturday, 26 November
2005, Richard Burns died after severe illness. For verification, click on
this link; http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/world_rally/4472642.stm
The deceased had a deposit with HSBC Bank of London, valued presently at
£8,000,000.00 Eight Million Pounds Sterling which he did not disclose to
anybody not even his own wife because three days before he made this deposit,
he caught his wife cheating and they were
both planning for divorce before his sudden death. Now, I seek your consent
to present you as the Bequest WILL Beneficiary to the deceased so that the
proceeds of this account valued at £8,000,000.00 Eight Million Pounds Sterling
can be paid to you. This will be
disbursed or shared in these percentages, 60% to me and 30% to you and 10%
for charity organizations.
All necessary legal documents that can be used to back up your claim as
the WILL beneficiary will be carefully worked out by me here in the United
Kingdom. All I require is your honest CO-OPERATION, CONFIDENTIALITY and
TRUST to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee you 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 urgently by Email: barreddyrich@yahoo.co.uk
with the following information below:
1. Your Full Name.
2. Your Telephone Number and Fax Number.
3. Your Contact Address.
4. Your Occupation
This is to enable me commence immediate preparation of all legal documents
that you will use to apply to HSBC bank for the release and subsequent transfer
of the £8,000,000.00 Eight Million Pounds Sterling into your account. Your
urgent response will be highly anticipated and appreciated.
Best Regards,
Barr. edward Richardson and Associate
Central Milton Keynes,
Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, UK.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam