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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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (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.
  • machi_harold@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "machi harold" <machi_harold7@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: machi_harold@myway.com
Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2007 18:03:40 +0000
Subject: Your response to this mail will be appreciated.

From Machi  Harold & Co. Chambers
Solicitors & Advocate 06 BP 1409
dpakpa godomey,
Cotonou - Benin Republic.

 

Attn:Dear Friend,

 

I humbly crave your indulgence in sending you this mail,if the contents does not meet with your personal and business ethics,I appologise in advance.Iam Barrister Machi Harold, the Personal Attorney to late Mr David Adrian,who was a contractor with emelite gold mining company here in Benin. And on the 3rd of Nov 2005, my client,and his family were perished in a ghastly car accident along Midombo Togo express way.

 

But my client made a fixed deposit valued at (US$9.5M) , Nine Million, Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars. and upon the maturity this bank started contacting him but no response. Conseqently,the bank issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated after four years, as the law of this land says.

 

Since then i have made several enquiries to your Embassy to locate any of my clients tended relatives,this has also proved unsuccessful. Since i have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives for over two years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you are from the same country and also bears the same last name,so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$9.5M can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money.

 

I know that you might be wonder why i have decided to trust you with this huge sum, but the truth is that I need you to get this money out and considering the fact that your a foreigner which makes it a lot easier and straight forward. 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 enables us see 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 get in touch with me both through email machi_harold@myway.com.

 

Thanks as I am waiting for your respond.

 

Best Regards,

Barr Machi Harold,

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam