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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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)
  • "hundred thousand us 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: Michael Addison <michael_addison5@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: barr.mkaddison2000@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2007 04:21:09 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: URGENT CALL FOR ASSISTANCE.


From:Barrister Michael Kofi Addison(Esq.)
Accra,Ghana.

Dear Sir,
I am Barrister Michael Kofi Addison(Esq.) the Personal Attorney to Mr.David Hopkins, who was the director of Ports,Tema oil refinery.On the 25th of March,2005 by 1:30 pm,there was an inferno at the Tema oil refinery which burnt the workers at Tema oil refinery on duty at the time.

See: http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Fire_in_Tema,_Ghana_threatening_oil_refinery

Before the fire fighters came with other security agencies to bring the raging fire under control the body of the entire workers were already burnt.Since then I have made several efforts to locate any of my clients extended relatives,this has proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful search,a finance house where he had made some deposit particularly,Trust Security & Finance company here in Accra Ghana West Africa,where the deceased had a deposit value of $6.8 million dollars(Six Million Eight Hundred Thousand US Dollars) has contacted me to present someone to stand and release this fund.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this deal through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law. You have to assure me of your honesty and sincerity.

Regards,
Barrister Michael Kofi Addison(Esq.)



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam