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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:

• 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)
  • "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.

Fraud email example:

From: jerry ibe <jerryibe2000@yahoo.ie>
Reply-To: jerryibe050@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2007 10:31:19 +0100 (BST)
Subject: GOOD DAY


Dear Friend,

I am Barrister Jerry Ibe a legal practitioner and the personal attorney to Mr. Hughson Tenhage, who used to work with Chevron Nigeria limited here in Nigeria.On the 21st of April 2004, my client, his wife and their three children were involved in a car accident along Badagry expressway.All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.

Since then I have made several inquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful. 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 before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged.

Particularly, Standard Trust Bank Plc, Lagos Branch where the deceased had an account valued at about US$11.7 Million Dollars Only. The bank has 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 since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$11.7Million Dollars Only, can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me immediately to enable us discuss further.

Thank you very much for your co-operation.

Best regards,
Barrister Jerry Ibe.




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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam