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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:
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "sani abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: BARRISTER USMAN MOMODU <barrister_usman1932@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 03:04:48 -0800 (PST)
Subject: GET BACK TO ME


DEAR SIR,


I am BARRISTER USMAN MOMODU,the Attorney of the family of
Late General Sani Abacha the former Head of State of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria. And I am also writing on
behalf of the family.

The aim of this contact is to seek your assistance to
evacuate some large sum of money (US$50M) from EUROPE to a
trusted bank account in your country. These funds were part
of the money kept by the family after the demise of the
Late Nigerian Head of State. We have successfully kept
these funds in the custody of a Finance & Security Company
in EUROPE.

Since the demise of the former Head of State, a lot has
happened to the family. Some of the familys bank
accounts have been frozen and some family members thrown
into detention. These things were done because of the
alleged looting of our nation coffers by the
Abacha family. However we are now in a democratic
era and we fell that this is the right time to make a move
concerning the money.

We have taken care of every arrangement in Nigeria and we
want you to immediately inform us on the above Email
address. Of your willingness to assist, so that I can send
you full details of this transaction and the Certificate of
Deposit, which will enable you to make claims of the funds
in EUROPE.

Finally, the family could not travel out of the country for
now because of security reasons and for your overall
assistance they have resolved to offer you 30% of the whole
sum. Please note that the hope of this family lies on this
money. And there is no risk involved whatsoever.
Your quick response will oblige.thanks and God Bless.

Best Regards,
BARR,USMAN MOMODU.
ATTORNEY FOR ABACHA,S FAMILY

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam