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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. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "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.)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "sani abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348084643330 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: bar_femi_davies@zipmail.com.br
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:38:25 -0700
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?HELP=20CLAIM=20BIKER=20FUND?=

DAVIES & ASSOCIATES
SOLICITORS AND ADVOCATES,
(EQUITY CHAMBERS)
#SUITE 408 ELEGANZA PLAZA APAPA,
LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA.

Dear Biker,

I am Barrister Chief Femi Davies, a Solicitor at Law. I am the Personal
Attorney to Mr John Biker who used to work with Pacific Oil Development
Company in Nigeria and as well a one time Secret Agent in transferring of
money overseas for the Late Heaad of State of Nigeria {Late Gen.SANI
ABACHA}

Before his death On Saturday, 4 May, 2002 [my client, his
Wife and their only Daughter were involved in the plane crash
inccident.

My client {John Biker} deposited the sum of $USD30 Million Dollars in a
commercial bank (UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC) here in Nigeria with the hope
of transferring it to his country as soon as he is on leave.

On Saturday, 4 May, 2002, in plane crash. Let me refer you to the
front page of (BBC) World News of Saturday, 4 May 2002. You can check it
through their website below.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1968300.stm>
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1968616.stm>

Since his death I have made several enquiries to all the Embassy to locate
any of my Clients extended relatives has also proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his last name
over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted
you.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money left behind by
my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank
where the Money were deposited .

The board of UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC has issued me a notice that after
3 months from now and no next of kin shown up for the claiming of the said
funds, the fund will be confiscated and declared
unserviceable.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating his relatives for some
time now, it is on this note that I seek your consent to present you as
the next of kin of the deseased since you are a foreigner and has the same
surname, so that the proceed of this deposit valued at $USD30 Million Dollars
can be released to you for our disbursment.You and me can share the money.
30% to me and 65% to you and 5% for expenses. I have all necessary legal
documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.

Please feel free to call me on 234-8084643330 today and let me have your
Phone Numbers for easy communications.

Thanks,
Barrister Chief Femi Davies (Principal Partner) DAVIES & ASSOCIATES

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam