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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand 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.
• 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.
  • +2348073852528 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: peter clemmer <peterclemmer@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 14:04:39 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: URGENT..


Dear Friend,

Compliments of the day, I am Barrister Benson jones, the attorney to Late Engr Alex, a National of your country, a business man and an investor who died and left behind his deposit in a finance house valued at $14.5Millon (Fourteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only).

Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of Engr.Alex extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful. I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$14.500,000 (Fourteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) can be paid to you and then you and i can share the money. 70% to me and 30% to you. The request of you a foreigner as next of kin in this business is occasioned by the fact that My client was a foreigner and i cannot stand as a next of kin to a foreigner.

I am ready to re-negotiate the mode of sharing with you. If you find this proposal suitable for you do get back to me with the following informations Your full Name and Contact Address, Your private telephone Number Your Age Your Occupation and Position.

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 for the sake of confidentiality send your reply to my private email: bensonjoneschambers@myway.comor call +234-807-385-252-86.

Hoping to receive a positive response from you.

Best regards,

Barrister Benson Jones


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam