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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "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.
  • +2348034338070 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • info_smithjohnson1983@yahoo.com.br (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Nobody <nobody@spiritstore.fi>
Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2006 17:49:30 +0300
Subject: NEXT OF KIN

Barrister Smith Johnson. <info@smithjohnson.com>
Reply-To: info_smithjohnson1983@yahoo.com.br
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

Barrister Smith Johnson.
Smith & Associates
111, Bamgbose street,
Lagos Island, Lagos
Telephone: +234-803-433-8070
Email Address; info_smithjohnson1983@yahoo.com.br

Hello Dear,

I crave your indulgence as I contact you in such a surprising manner and I want you to bear in mind that this is not a hoax but I respectfully insist you read this mail carefully as I am optimistic it will open door for unimaginable financial reward for both of us.
I am Smith the personal attorney to late Engr Collins,a foreigner and oil merchant/Contractor, herein shall be referred as my client. On the 21st of October 2003, my client, his wife and their three children were involved in a ghastly auto accident along Shagamu Express road,
unfortunately, all occupants of the vehicle lost their lives, Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of my client's extended relatives and this as been unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his name over the Internet to locate any member of his family or any close name to his, hence I contacted you, I am contacting you to assist in
repatriating the money left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge amount US15.5million were lodged.

The bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin/Relative or have the fund confiscated within the next 21 banking days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the the relatives for over 2 years now, I
seek your consent to present you as the next of kin/Relative of the deceased since you have the same last name so that this US15.5 million can be transferred into your account and then you and I will share this fund 50/45 for our individual roles in the transaction.

All I require is your honest co-operation and confidentiality 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.

Since you are ready and interested to work with me sincerely and honestly,I advise you to re-confirm to me.

1.Your Full Name:
......................................
2. Home Address:
........................................
3.Occupation:
..........................................
4.Age:..................................................
5.Telephone/Mobile and Fax Numbers:
....................
6 Name of your Bank:
...................................

Make sure you fill the above information full as stated above.

As soon as you receive it, I shall forward an application to the bank company on your behalf to formally apply for the funds of the deceased. I as the attorney to late Engr.Collins I will invariably and
inevitably become your attorney and will take care of any legality that comes out should there be any. My dear, it is my expectation and believe that with this you will be absolutely satisfied and assured that you are on safe ground.I am quite sure that we are going
to work out together to your satisfaction.Also,it is through your phone,fax or email that the best means of the Bank getting across to you. Thank you for your anticipated co-operation and assistance while
unequivocally assuring you of my genuineness.

I await your immediate response and hoping for a good success.

PS: COMPENSATED AT THE END OF THE DEAL( 45% FOR YOU AND 50% FOR ME 50% FOR TAX CHARGES WHEN WIRING THE FUND INTO YOUR ACCOUNT).IF YOU ADHERE STRICTLY TO MY INSTRUCTIONS, THIS DEAL WILL BE OVER IN SEVEN (7) WORKING DAYS.

Thanks and God Bless.

Barrister Smith Johnson.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam