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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:
  • "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)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "@lawyer.com" (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.
  • +2289346213 (Togo, probably a 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.
  • thom.george_legalchamber@lawyer.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Thompson George <thomgeorge_01@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 04:50:08 -0800 (PST)
Subject: From Barr.Thompson George and Associate.



Thompson George and Associates
Km 4,blck 27,Government House Rd,
Blouvard Lome-Togo.
E-mail: thom.george_legalchamber@lawyer.com
Tel: +228-934-6213

With Due Respect Sir/Madam,

This letter is not intended to cause any embarrassment in whatever form, rather it is intended to contact your esteemed self. I know that a letter of such magnitude will make anyone apprehensive and worried, but I am assuring you that it is made in good faith and will be of mutual benefit.
I
am Barr.Thompson George Esq,the Personal Attorney to Late. Mr. Isaac Pat-Hairs Crafter, here in after referred to as my client, a citizen of the Republic of Venezuela, who until his death was a major contractor with the Togolaise Federal Government.

On the 21st of April, 2002, it was reported to us that my client and his entire family were involved in a fatal motor accident, which unfortunately claimed their lives, along the Karah express road enrouting Lome(capital Territory),sparing none of the occupants of the vehicle. I have since then made several enquiries to your Embassy, in a bid to locate any relation of my client, and these efforts of mine have not been productive. I have contacted you to assist me in securing the money and property left behind by my client before they are declared as unclaimed and unserviceable by the bank where they have been lodged for safekeeping.

I am particularly interested in securing the funds lodged with Citek Int'l Bank of Togo Plc, totaling Fourty-Six Million United States Dollars (USD$46M).This is because the said Bank has issued a notice to me, unequivocally instructing me to produce the Next of Kin/Beneficiary to the said account within the next fifteen official working days, or have the account confiscated. Considering all my unsuccessfull attempts in my bid to locate his close relatives for over two years, I therefore, solicit your consent to enable me produce you as THE NEXT OF KIN to my deceased client.

The funds will then be transferred to you as the beneficiary and shared according to a proposed sharing pattern/ratio of 60:40, i.e. 60% for me and 40% for you. I will provide all the necessary legally procured documents to back up any claim we make regarding this process, and will just require your understanding and cooperation to enable us achieve success within a legitimate arrangement, eliminating any liability resulting from any breach of the prevalent laws.

Your urgent response will be highly appreciated with the following informations below:

1). Your Full Name,Home/office address
2). Your reachable Telephone/Fax number for our easiest subsiquent communication.

Please, do get back to me via my private and secured E-mail: thom.george_legalchamber@lawyer.com

Best Regards,
Barr.Thompson George Esq
Legal Practitioner and Arbitrator



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam