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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "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. )
  • "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.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • barr.morgan_wil19801@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Mr morgan williams <mr.s_williams22@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2008 04:18:10 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Estate of David



FROM BARRISTER WILLIAMS
SOLICITORS%ADVOCATE UK,
LONDON

Dear sir/madam,

I am Barrister Morgan Williams, solicitor and personal attorney to Mr. David who worked with Shell Petroleum Development Company here in the
U.K, here in after referred to as my client.

On the 21st of April 2003, my client, his wife and their three children were involved in a car accident along the Donaghadee Road on his way
to killynether-wood (Ireland) and all occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then, several inquiries to locate any of
my clients extended relatives have also proved abortive. Hence, 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.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared
unserviceable by the finance firm in Europe where this huge deposit was lodged.

The finance firm, where the deceased had an account valued at about U.S $ 10.5 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of
kin or have the account confiscated within the next twenty one official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 months now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the
deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at U.S $ 10.5 million dollars can be paid to you and then we both can share the money, 60% to me and 40% to you. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to backup any claim we may make. All I require 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 you can reply to our my email:barr.morgan_wil19801@yahoo.co.uk

Best regards,

barrister M Williams
Principal Partner



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam