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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "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. )
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "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: BRICKS CHAMBERS <officialmailbox07@emsergipe.com>
Reply-To: brickslawfirm_uk@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 07:45:06 -0300
Subject: Regarding Late John Doe.

My name is Barrister Morgan Douglas,I came across your contact and have=20contacted you to assist in repatriating the fund and property left behind= by=20my Late client John Doe, who was one of the victims of August 23rd 2005=20hurricane katrina in New Orleans.I have just received a notice to provide the next of kin to the account o=f my=20late client valued at USD8.3M to avoid dormancy.However,the next of kin t=o my=20late client happens to be his twelve year old son who unfortunately died =in=20the same incident. The notice also states that on the event that I do not==20provide a beneficiary within the next two months,account,together with th=e fund would be confiscated.Therefore, as attorney to the deceased and the legal representative to th=e=20said account, I ask your permission to present you as the next of kin of =the=20deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at about Eightmillion, three hundred thousand united states dollars can be paid to you.You shall be entitled to at least 20% of the entire fund after tax and=20expenses. We shall also make adequate arrangements on how the fund would =be=20transferred to your account.I have all necessary legal documents that would be required for the succe=ssful=20completion of this transaction.Hence, I require is your honest cooperation to enable us pull this deal=20through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrang=ement=20that will protect you from any breach of the law.Get in touch with me via my private email;brickslawfirm_uk@yahoo.co.ukfor further procedures and details. Feel free to make your interest known=,as=20your response will be highly appreciated. I also believe your phoneand fa=x=20numbers are imperative for smooth communication, as e-mail maynot be enough for transactions of this magnitude, as well asimportant business information.Awaiting your earliest response.Faithfully yours,Barrister Morgan Douglas

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam