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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:
  • "from the desk of" (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. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "million united states 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: Nelson Goodluck <negoo_93@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <gnel016@googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2008 11:52:21 +0000
Subject: Please Respond Urgently



FROM THE DESK OF Barrister Nelson Goodluck17 Awolowo cresent ikeja.
Before I start,I must first Apologise for this unsolicited mail to you.I am aware that this iscertainly an unconventional approach to starting a business relationship but as time goes on you will realize the need for my action.
My name is Nelson Goodluck a Solicitor and the personal Attorney to Williams Roberts,a foreigner, and a business man here in Nigeria.Here in after referred to as my Client.On the october 22, 2005,my client,his wife (the supposed next of kin) and theirtwo children were involved in a plane crash of Bellview airlines flight 210 .My Client and his entire family unfortunately lost their lives in the accident.Since then I have made several enquiries to your Embassy to locate any of my Client's extendedrelatives which has proved abortive.After these several unsuccessful attempts, hence the need to contact you.
My main reason for contacting you is to assist me in securing the sum of USD25M(twenty fivemillion United States Dollars) left behind by my Client before they are confiscated or declaredunservicable by the bank where they are deposited and lodged.Particularly the STANBIC BANK PLC where the deceased has a fixed sum of USD25M(twenty five million United States Dollars).The said bank has issued me a final notice to provide the next of kin of my Client or they will be left with no other choice than to confiscate his funds.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating my clients relatives for the past two years I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of my client,going by the fact ,that the said fund as stated above i.e the sum of USD25M(twenty five million United States Dollars) can be paid to you instead of leaving it for STANBIC BANK PLC,we can take part of it and leave the rest for Charity.I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.
All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this arrangement through.You will be entitled to 40% of the sum of US$25M I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.Please reply if you are interestedFinally kindly give me your confidential Phone and fax numbers so that I can communicate with you easily. Best regards,Barrister Nelson Goodluck
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam