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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)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "30% for you " (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "barrister" (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 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.
  • mac_obrien@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mac oBrien" <m_obrien02@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mac_obrien@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 09 May 2007 17:13:47 +0000
Subject: REPLY IMMEIDATELY

MR. BARRISTER MAC OBRIEN " wrote:
OBRIEN PARTNERSHIP BARRY REQUEST
FROM MR. MAC OBRIEN

Dear Friend,

I am Barrister MR.MAC OBRIEN , a Solicitor at law and the personal attorney
to George Brumley I have an urgent and very confidential business
proposition for you. I honestly apologize and hope I do not cause you much
embarrassment by contacting you through this means for a transaction of this
magnitude, but this is due to confidentiality and prompt access reposed on
this medium.

Furthermore, due to this issue on my hands now,it became necesary for me to
seek your assistance, and it is imperative for me to know your opinion on
late Dr. George Brumley,a good client of mine,who suddenly died in a plane
crash on Monday, July 21, 2003 with his entire family.Dr. George Brumley as
a known philanthropists to many charitable and humanitarian organisations in
Atlanta area,prior to his death, had great intentions to build charitable
homes for the poor and the less privilages in Africa.A vision he had long
agowhich made him to save by depositing a hugh sum of US$30million in a
seucirty/Insurancebroking firm in Europe some years back.

There is no one alive to claim this money since he had his wife and children
perished in the plane crash. It is in this regard that i wish that you will
co-operate with me so that we will claim the aforementioned amount from the
seucirty/Insurance firm in Europe who will keep using this money or at the
expiration of some years (Four/Five) pushes this money into the Government
coffers as treasure bills should none of his next of kins comes up for the
claim.

All i will expect you to do is to pose ashis next of kin and forward an
application to the Security Firm asking the them to transfer the said amount
into your account as the next of kin.If youfollow my instructions till the
end we will succeed.You will present your bank account where the bank will
transfer this money.I will fly into your country to take my share as soon as
the money hits your account.

Be rest assure that this transaction poses no risk to you as everything
around it is quite legal and 100% riskfree considering the fact that no
other person will ever counter your claim until eternity. I will like you to
provide immediately your full name and address so that i will have the
confidence and trust to work with you.

As soon as the money is paid into your account it will be shared in the
ratio of 65% for me and 30% for you and 5% for Expenses Incurred in the
course of the transaction because we will make some. Upon your response I
shall then provide you with more details and relevant documents that will
help you understand the transaction. Please send me your confidential
telephone and fax numbers to me via email mac_obrien@yahoo.com, for easy
communication.

Awaiting your urgent reply.
Mr MAC OBRIEN Esq.
MAC & Chambers.

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam