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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:
  • "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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "barr." (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: Williams Benny <wbennycham8@hotmail.co.uk>
Reply-To: <barr_wbenny76@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 13 Oct 2007 10:09:23 +0000
Subject: Attn: Biker, (URGENT REPLY NEEDED)



BARRISTER. WILLIAMS BENNY,WILLIAMS BENNY& ASSOCIATENO.225 ABIOLA CRESCENT.LAGOS ISLAND,NIGERIA

Attn: Biker,

I Am Barrister Williams Benny, a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Late Engineer (Richard Biker, native of your country, who used to work with Shell Oil Development Company in Nigeria. Here in after shall be referred to as my client.On the 21st of Decb 2005, my client, his wife and their three children were involved in a car accident along sagbama express road.

All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives,this has also proved unsuccessful.After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.Please note that it does not really matter at this time if you are true relative to my Late client (Mr.Richard Biker) or not.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and properties left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit were lodged.

i will give you the contact Bank where the deceased has an account valued at about US$20.5 Mllion,The bank has issued me a mandate to provide the next-of-kin or have the account confiscated within the next 6 weeks.Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$20.5 Million can be paid to your nominated account and then you and i can have the money. 55% to me and 40% to you.while 5% is for any expenses we might encured at the cause of this transaction.
I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to backup any claims we may make.Hence all I require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through. 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 immediately if you are interested and trustworthy as I do not have much time in my disposal.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated co-operation.
Rest Regards,
Barr.Williams Benny .(Esq)
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam