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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: Peter Wallace <gllawfirm2002@hotmail.co.uk>
Reply-To: gllawfirm_2002@hotmail.co.uk
Date: Fri, 06 Oct 2006 13:46:05 -0700
Subject: Urgent/Confidential


Dear Friend,
This is my second letter to you, my name is Peter Wallace (Esq). I received a letter from a bank requesting for the next of kin to my deceased client. The Letter stated that he made fixed deposit of some amount of money last three years before his death.
The bank is aware of his death, he is not married. He has no WILL to indicate any next of kin. The bank probably would be expecting someone with the same last name to come forward for claims. As it is, no one can put up claims except someone with the same name and referred from my office. All efforts to get his family relatives has been abortive.
I solicit that you allow me introduce you as his relative based on the fact that you have same last names. He was aged 82. He lived and worked here as a foreigner and requested to be buried here. Kindly let me know if you are interested so that I can begin the documentation process to enable you contact the bank for release of the funds to you.
Thank you,
Peter Wallace, Esq.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam