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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "inheritance tax" (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
  • "await your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "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.

Fraud email example:

From: david bassey <david@basseydavid.orangehome.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 17:33:06 +0100 (CET)
Subject: HAVE A NICE DAY


Barrister David Bassey,
Principal Partner,
David Bassey & Associates.
36 Fola Agoro Street,
Lagos.
Dear Sir/Madam,

I am David Bassey, personal attorney to Mr Patrick A, an expartriate
who used to work with Nigeria Shell Oil Company (NSOC), here in Nigeria.
On the 21st of March 2006, my client was killed in an auto mobile
accident.Since then I have made Several enquiries to locate any of my
client's extended relatives. This has proved unsuccessful. After several
unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet
hence I contacted you.

I contacted you to assist me in repartriating the money left behind by
my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the
bank where this deposit was lodged.The name of the bank is Trans
international bank,where the deceased had an account valued at
US$7,500,000.00(Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).
The bank issued me a notice to provide the next-of- kin or have the
account confiscated. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the the
relatives, I seek your consent to present you as the Next-of-kin to the
deceased,so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$7.5M can be
paid to you and then you and I can share the money; 55% to me and 40% to
you, while 5% will be for expenses and inheritance tax, as your
government may require.

I have all necessary legal documents that will be used to back up our
inherittance claims. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable
us see the deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a
legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the
law.

To commence the process of claiming the funds, I will require the
following information:
1. your full names.
2. your telephone and fax numbers.
3. your contact address.
4. your date of birth.
5. your occupation

As soon as I recieve these information I will file-in a formal
application to the bank for the inheritance in your name as next-of-kin of the
deceased. That will enable the bank to process the transaction with you
as beneficiary.

Meanwhile you are welcome to call me for any further clarification on
this matter.

I thank you once again and I await your urgent response
With best regards,
David Bassey

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam