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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.)
  • "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.
  • pauladams_san@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Paul Adams" <pauladams207@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: pauladams_san@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2006 16:47:23 +0000
Subject: Dear Mcminn

Dear Mcminn,

 

I am Barrister Paul Adams. (SAN), a Solicitor; I am the Personal Attorney to one Engr. Michael Mcminn, a national of your country, who Used to be a contractor with NNPC here in Nigeria. On the 10th October 2002 my client, his wife and entire family were involved in a car accident along 3rd mainland bridge Express Road Lagos Island.Unfortunately they all lost their lives in the event of the accident, Since then I have made several inquiries to their Embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.

 

After these several Unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his Relatives,to locate any member of His family but of no avail, hence I contacted you since you bear the same surname to my late client. I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money in addition, property left behind by my client before they get Confiscated or declared Unserviceable by the bank where these huge deposits were lodged.

 

Particularly, the Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about US$7 million dollars. Consequently, the bank issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days. 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, regardless of your country, with your name/address; some vitals will be obtained in your favour which will back you as the next of kin to the deceased.The proceeds of this account valued at US$7 Million dollars can be Paid to you and then you and me can share like this 45% for me and 45% for you, while we will set aside 10% to pay back for any expenses or tax as your government may require. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.

 

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this deal Through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

 

Please Reply urgently to enable us discuss further.via this E-mail address: (pauladams_san@yahoo.co.uk)

 

Regards,

 

Barrister Paul Adams

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam