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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
  • "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 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.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: vincent kalu <kaluvin3@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <vincentkalu7@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 18:54:07 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend



FROM DESK OF BARRISTER VINCENT KALU. Dear sir/madam ,
I Am Barrister VINCENT KALU,a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to mr james park ,THE DECEASED OWNER OF THE MONEY IN BANKERS TRUST BANK PLC ,a national of your country, who used to work with shell Development Company in Nigeria.Here in after shall be referred to as my client. On the 13th of june 2005, my client, his wife and their three Children were involved in auto crash .
All occupants of the auto crash unfortunately lost their lives.Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy 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 here these huge deposits were lodged. Particularly,the { BANKERS TRUST BANK PLC} where the deceased had an account valued at $14.5million dollars 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 1 year now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the willing to assist so that the proceeds of this account valued at $14.5million dollars can be paid to your account and then you and me can share the money. 60% to me and 30% to you and 10% for any expences incured during the transaction
I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I requires is your honest cooperation your private telephone, fax number and your address to enable us seeing this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
Best Regards, Barr,VINCENT KALU
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam