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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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• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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: Micheal Williams <mikewilliams13@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mikewilliams199@yahoo.fr>
Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2007 18:58:32 -0400
Subject: Letter From Mike Williams



Dear Friend,I am Barrister Michael williams(Esq.) a solicitor at law. I am thePersonal attorney to Mr. Peter Bush a national of the USA, who usedto work with shell-development company in Nigeria. My Client diedin Banda Aceh in Indonesia with his wife and family as a result of thedeadly Tsunami while on a Tourism Visit in December 26 2004 .Please log to this website for more about the Tsunami,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake/http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2004/tsunami.disaster/After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his lastname over the Internet, to locate any member of his family and since Icould not get anybody,hence I contacted you. I have contacted you toassist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my clientbefore they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank wherethis huge deposits were lodged. FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA(FBN),where thedeceased had an account valued at about $14.600.000 million dollars.The bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have theaccount confiscated this new year. Since I have been unsuccessful inlocating the relatives for over 2 years now I seek your consent topresent you as the next of kin of the deceased, so that the proceeds ofthis account valued at $14.600.000 million dollars can be paid to youand then you and I can share the money. 60% to me and 30% to you ,whileanother 10% will be set aside for any expenses that may be accruedduring the course of this transaction.I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up anyclaim we may make. All I require from you,is your honest cooperation toenable us see this deal through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangementthat will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in touchwith me by my email and send to me your telephone and fax numbers toenable us discuss further about this transaction.Thanks And God Bless you.Best Regards,Mr. Michael williams(Esq.)
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam