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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.

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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: williams bello <supreme_chambers14@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2007 03:37:09 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: I await your positive Response


Dear Friend

It's my pleasure reaching you through this mail. I am Williams Bello(solicitor) to Wema Bank Plc. I have the perivilege of being assigned the file of the above mentioned; late Engineer Roy J.Wilson of your country, who till his death was a contractor with Impressario Nigeria Limited, Moenier Oil & Gas limited.


Consult and Nigerian Ports authority. In 2003, Engr. Roy J.Wilson was involved in an ill fated plane crash UTA Flight 141 on Thursday 25th December, 2003 in Cotonou along the coast of West Africa, had a balance of US$7.5million with Wema Bank now expects any of his available next of kin to claim.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3348109.stm

The fund was proceed of a contract work he just concluded with the
Nigerian Ports authority.The payment was made with an Wema cheque which transaction I have also had perivilege of studying,Unfortunately, till this moment no one has come as a relative of his to claim or negotiate for a process to remit this fund from the bank.


I humbly request your attention to this matter so that i can present you as his next of kin or beneficiary to his deposit.It is not a very difficult thing to do especially as i shall undertake to provide you with the necessary information you may require to present as his next of kin and ensure you are covered. All we need is to change the name and particulars of his next of kin to yours in their computer database and file in an application


for the release of the fund through the Probate Office in your name.It does not necessarilly mean that you must be here to conclude the deal,i shall strongly recommend that the money be sent to Europe or even the United States for payment. We will talk about the sharing ratio as soon as you get in touch with me.

Best Regard
Barr.Williams Bello.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam