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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:

• 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)
  • "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 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.
  • fuobidima@yahoo.com.hk
  • ofuobidima@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Donald Ofuobidima" <donaldofu@shuntek.hopto.org>
Reply-To: ofuobidima@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 18:45:12 +0200
Subject: FROM: Donald Ofu Obidima(SAN)

FROM: Donald Ofu Obidima(SAN)
DONALD OBIDIMA & ASSOCIATES,
# PALM GROVE HOUSE, 1 SHAGAM AVE.
ILLUPEJU
LAGOS-NIGERIA.
fuobidima@yahoo.com.hk

Dear Friend,

It is with heartfelt hope that I write to seek your co-operation and assistance in the context stated below, I am Barrister Donald Ofu Obidima,The personal Attorney to the late Mr. Larry Bowman. I got your contact through the help of my sister-in-law that works with your country's Chambers of Commerce and Tourism, though I did not disclose to her my humble intention for an honest foreigner like you, Having noted the confidence reposed on your person by the sponsor of the recommendation.

My late client was the Chief Executive officer of {Morkin Development Company} for 15 good years and he was retired on the 30th day of september 2001. After a month, My client and his entire family died on their way to a Conference in a car accident on the 30th day of October 2001. Before their death my client Deposited the total sum of $15,000,000.00 In a Finance House hoping of transferring the fund to his country as soon as he comes back from the conference.

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. I agree to pay you 40% of the fund, 50% to me and While 10% can be also paid to you as the next of kin and incase if you spend any money in the course of executing this transaction.

Further more,Kindly furnish me with your following Details. {A}.YOUR FULL NAME. {B}.YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS. {C}.YOUR TELEPHONE/FAX NUMBER. {D} YOUR OCUPATION. (E).YOUR AGE.

As soon as i receive your details, I will write an application to the Finance House for immediate payment.

You are to reach me immidately by mail on my private mail: ofuobidima@yahoo.com.hk

Thanks and God bless.
Barrister Donald Ofu Obidima.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam