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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.

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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• 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.
  • +2348057851141 (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.
  • barr_cathelinecook2@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "catheline cook" <cathelinec43@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: barr_cathelinecook2@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2006 09:54:23 +0100
Subject: Barr. Mrs. catheline cook

Dear Friend,

I am Barrister Mrs.catheline cook, personal attorney to late Dr. Mohd (last name and other personal information to be communicated), who died on the 25th of Novermber 2005 in an oil explosion here in Niger delta, Nigeria last year.

The bank has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin or the account will be confiscated because there is a government gazzette authorising all banks to freeze or consificate any account that has not been servicable in a long period of time,this is geared towards capital flight for the economy.

Several enquiries have been made to locate any of my client's extended relatives but has proved unsuccessful. This is because my client is not a Nigerian and had no wife or children here.

 

Right now, the bank where he deposited some money has issued me a notice to provide a next of kin and beneficiary of the fund or have the account confisicated within the next ten official working days.

 

After these several unsuccessful attempts of locating the relatives to my late client for a year now. I have contacted you to assist me in repartrating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confisicated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits are lodged.

 

May I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you best fit  this position as a foreigner and can easily claim the fund so that the proceeds of this account valued at 3 million pounds can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money equally.

 

I have in my possession the certificate of deposit of this fund issued to him and also the death certificate issued to me on registration of his death as his personal attorney. The bank has assured me that the fund will be released to whoever I present as the next of kin to the deceased depositor since I was the deseased attorney. You should know that as the attorney, I am not in position to claim this fund, that is why I need your co-operation as a foreigner to help out and this will be concluded within 5 working days depending on your prompt responses and the level of commitment.

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

 

To proceed, you need to furnish me with your home and mailing address, telephone and fax numbers and information of you like your occupation, age and state of origin.With these information, I shall secure the affidavit of next of kin in your name from the ministries concerned and you will be approved as the next of kin to my deceased client.

Provide these required information and I shall extend to you the bank's cordinates and application text which you shall send to the finance firm for the claim of the funds immediately.

 

Reply ONLY to my alternative email:barr_cathelinecook2@hotmail.com   

 

I wait your immediate response as we have limited time to conclude this.

Wishing us a sucessful business relationship.

 

Regards
Barr. Mrs. catheline cook
+234-8057851141

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam