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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
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• 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:

• 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:
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • dr_davidgeorge_999@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "david george" <davidgeorge02@centrum.sk>
Date:
Subject: PLEASE URGENT REPLY


 David George &amp; CO.CHAMBERS
(ATTORNEYS &amp; COUNSELORS AT LAW)
FEDERAL HIGH COURT BENIN
WHITE-HOUSE BUILDING,
14 DEGBAGO CRESCENT,
COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN.
Compliments.

I (Dr David George) have decided to bestow this trust on you, which
I  pray you will not ignore or betray.I appologize in advance for any
inconviniences this may cause you.
 I am (Dr David George) the
Personal Attorney to late Mr George K.Marshal, who was a contractor
here in Benin Rep. Who, on December 2003 with his entire family perished in
theAir-Crash on board From Cotonou.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3348109.stm
As a matter of fact, my client made a fixed deposit Amount, valued at
(US$20.900,000.00) with a Bank here in Benin Rep, and upon the duration
time of their agreement,his bank started contacting him but no
response.

Conseqently, the Bank issued me a notice to provide the next
of kin to the deceased as his personal attorney or have his account
confiscated after four years as it is in the law of this country.
Since then,
I have made several contacts to His Country's Embassy in
order to locate any of my clients extended relatives which had also
been 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 none of his relatives were no where to be
found so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$20.900,000.00
could be transfered into youraccount,
 Thereafter,
 we will both share it in percentage according to our contributions to
 boost the success of this great transaction. I have all the necessary
 legal documents that can be used to back up all the claims we will make.
 All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us make this great benefiting
transactionsuccessfully.

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 as fast as possible.Also to enable us discuss further the
progress of this business.With best wishes,
Hon: (David George) Esq,
Senior advocate of Benin(SAB).
pleas contact me with this my e mail address. (dr_davidgeorge_999@yahoo.fr)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam