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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:
  • "from the desk of" (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)
  • "million 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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash)
• 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.
  • contact_counsel@yahoo.co.uk
  • contact.counsel@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "prince fayad bolkiah" <andsmth04@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: and.smith@bk.ru
Date: Tue, 09 Jan 2007 22:59:40 +0000
Subject: URGENT MAIL(REPLY ACCORDINGLY).

Smith Law(BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS)
Motto:Understanding.Dynamism.Value. Putting the law to work

Smith Law Headquaters

FROM THE DESK OF BARRISTER ANDY SMITH,
PRINCIPAL PARTNER
Smith Law
No 2 Threadneedle Street,
E-mail: contact_counsel@yahoo.co.uk

Dear Kofy Adega,

I am Andy Smith. I was the Personal Attorney to Late Mr. Gema Adega who
worked with Hydro Energy Industries here in the U.K, which is one of the
highest energy and oil marketers in Europe, here in after referred to as my
client.

On the 21st of November 2006, my client, his wife and their three children
were involved in a car accident after collision along Madrid runway and all
occupants of the car unfortunately lost their lives, this was due to my
client being drunk after the news on falling oil prizes. Stocks rallied last
month, with the Dow Jones industrial average closing above 12,500 for the
first time, on falling oil prices, a surprisingly bullish report on home
sales and a fresh burst of end-of-year buying.

Since then, several enquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives
have also proved abortive. Hence after these several unsuccessful attempts,
I decided to track his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of
his family hence I contacted you.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left
behind by my client who was also a chief executive in HEI of which I am also
the company attorney, before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable
by the finance firm in Europe and also Asia where this huge deposit was
lodged. The finance firm, where the deceased had an account valued at about
GBP 6 Million (Six million Great Britain pounds sterling) has issued me a
notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the
next twenty one official working days.

I also have investment clues such as the fact the HEI is about to go public
with 2.8 billion international shares, also Treasury bond prices slumped,
boosting yields, while the dollar fell. Oil dipped and gold surged.

Investors responded to the upbeat housing and oil market news in what is
typically a positive time of year for stocks. We've had a very strong market
rally since mid-July and it's certainly not surprising to see the market
continue the advance here. Also I have a cheque made out to my late client
from Crocs clogs worth 12 million United States dollars.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relativies for over 2 months
now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased
so that the proceeds of this account valued at GBP 6 Million (Six million
great Britain pounds sterling) can be paid to you and then we both can put
the money in solid investment at the ratio of 60% to me and 40% to you. This
percentage is as a result of you being the investor and I the executor; I
believe this is a worthy gesture. I think it is alright for me and better
than loosing the whole fund. Every investment expense would also follow the
same ratio

I will provide all necessary legal documents that can be used to backup any
claim we may make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see
this proceeding through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a
legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

I need to get a little contact of yours' then get to talk with you for a
while and see if you can be the best option for this. May we have the
strenght to follow this through.

I expect an urgent response.

Contact me here for details [contact.counsel@yahoo.com]

BEST REGARDS

Barrister Andy Smith {Principal Partner}.
Smith Law


Andy Smith
Senior Partner
BA (Hons), Ph.D

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam