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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:

• 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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "a security company " (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. )
  • "confidentiality of this transaction" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "monrovia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "liberia" (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.
• 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.
  • franklynemoor@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Barrister Franklyn <frankiemono@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: franklynemoor@yahoo.co.uk
Date: 6 Aug 2007 16:20:41 -0000
Subject: CAN YOU HANDLE THIS PROPOSAL?

Content-Type: text/plain

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit




From: Mr.Franklyn Monono,

Equity Law Firm,

111, Tobman Boulevard, Sinkor.

Monrovia Liberia.

Private E-mail: franklynemoor@yahoo.co.uk



Dear Sir/Madam, (CAN YOU HANDLE THIS PROPOSAL?).



I am Mr. Franklyn Monono, a solicitor and presently practicing law here in Monrovia Liberia. I am the personal Attorney to a late national of yours by name Vicktor Mau.



On 21st of August, 2002 my client unfortunately lost his life suddenly when he was hit by a stray bullet as a result of the war in Liberia then. Unfortunately too he lived alone here in Liberia as at that time,and so hadn't the opportunity of disclosing to any member of his familly that he has a huge cash deposit to the tune of USD$12.3Million with a security company in Europe, precisely in Spain. Which he deposited in two trunck boxes under the guise of family treasure. He was into GOLD & DIAMOND MINING BUSINESS,AND ALSO A SECRET AGENT TO THE THEN LIBERIAN DICTATOR 'CHARLES TAYLOR' WHOM HE HELPED IN TRANSFERRING MONEIS OVER SEAS. As his attorney and confidant I am aware of this particular deposit which was saved as family treasure with the security company.



This company has written to me on two occasions asking me to introduce a next of kin to my client so as to transfer his estate to the person. Unfortunately because of the sudden nature of his death my client did not leave a "Will" behind. Therefore it has been very difficult for me to identify or contact any of his relatives to come forward to claim these boxes.



Just last month the security company again wrote me the final reminder on the same topic and even threatened to declear the estate "STATUTE BARRED" (Limitation Of Action Laws) if at the expiration of the date given I am unable to introduce a relative of my late client. I don't mind sending one of these reminders to you to buttress my point. Your relationshipe with my late client is inconsequential, one thing that is certain is that you are not only of the same surname but of the same nationality. This is because before he died he pleaded with me to make sure that at least someone from his country inherits his estate, hence you are eligible to inherit his estate. Therefore I am seeking your consent to present you as the next of kin to my late client. What is important to me is that we should set aside at least 20% of this fund for charity in honor of my late client.



Therefore, on receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the modalities for the claim. I have all necessary information and legal documents needed to back you up for the claim.



All I need from you is your honest cooperation to enable us actualize this transaction through. I guarantee that this attracts no risk at all for it will be executed under legitimate arrangements that will protect you and me from any breach of the law.



Upon your acceptance to this proposal, I suggest that you reply through email address given for the confidentiality of this transaction. I expect your urgent response indicating your full interest and willingness in this great business transaction for our mutual benefit.



Your telephone and fax numbers will be needed for our easy communications.



Best regards,

Barrister Franklyn Monono (Esq.).

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam