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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:
  • "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)
  • "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 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.
  • barristerdavidkem@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister David Kem" <barristerdavidkem@myway.com>
Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2006 19:27:53 -0600 (CST)
Subject: Barrister David Kem




Personal Business
Good day,

I am Barrister David Kerr, a London based legal practitioner. I am the
personal attorney to Mr. Fredrick Shaw On the 21st of April 2002, my
client, his wife and their three children were involved in a plane crash.
Since the unfortunate incident occurred I have made several enquiries to
the embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives without
success.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left
behind by my client before they become confiscated or declared
unserviceable by the bank where these huge deposits were lodged,
particularly where the deceased had an account valued at US$5.3million
dollars. The bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin for
purposes of payment of his entitlements.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 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$5.3million dollars can
be paid to you and then you and I can share the money on a percentage to
be mutually agreed. I will secure all necessary legal documentations to
back up the claims for the payment. All I require is your honest
co-operation to enable us see this deal through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me
to enable us discuss further. Thank you very much for Your co-operation.
Please reply including your full name, full address, telephone number ,
Age and present occupation.

Best Regards,
Barrister David Kem.
E mail: (barristerdavidkem@myway.com)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam