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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:

• 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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "into your nominated bank account" (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 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "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.)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +2348025488727 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • dradams_whales00@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "whales adams" <adamswhales10@mailbox.hu>
Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 10:56:02 -0700
Subject: I AM TRUSTING YOU


I AM TRUSTING YOU


Dear Friend,

I hope this e-mail wouldn't come to you as a surprise. Having gone through
your profile, I am convinced and pleased to solicit your sincere and urgent
assistance over this matter.

I am Barrister Adams Whales, an Attorney to one late Mr. Peter J. a local
contractor with the Lagos State Government of Nigeria. My client Late was
awarded a contract worth of Forty-Five Million United States Dollars
(45,000,000:00USD) by the Lagos state Government of Nigeria for the
maintenance and construction of roads in the states in 1999 and the contract
was fully executed by my late client. My client has been paid Twenty Million
United States Dollars from the contract and he was to receive the balance
payment of the contract, but unfortunately my client was involved in a fatal
auto accident with his entire family on Sagamu Express Road where he
eventually lost his life and his two kids and wife. This was in 25th of
December of 2002.

Sequel to the death of late client, there is every need to present a next of
kin to Lagos State Government so that they can release the balance of his
contract money. Already the CONTRACT PAYMENT OFFICE under the Lagos State
Government has contacted me that the balance payment for the executed
contract, which has been approved for payment, is ready for collection. I am
therefore asked to present the beneficiary/next of kin for the claim of the
money (draft) from their office.

At this juncture, I have decided to divert this Twenty-Five Million United
States Dollars to a foreigner who will be presented to LSG, by soliciting
the assistance of a reliable individual (A Foreigner) that will be presented
as the beneficiary/next of kin of the fund. I will prepare all legal
documents in your name as the successor /next of kin from our Federal High
Court to back up the claim on your behalf which will enable Lagos State
Government to release the money into your nominated bank account on your
behalf as the known next of kin to my late client.

As soon as I hear your positive response; action will commence. Please bear
in mind that there is no risk involved in this transaction, but it requires
absolute sincerity and confidentiality due to the nature of the transaction.

I am willing to give you 40% of the fund as a reward for your assistance in
this transaction while 5% of the money will be set aside after successful
claim of this money to take care of any expenses that will be involved
locally or internationally during the process of executing the business. I
will want you to respond to my email via below email address if you find it
difficult getting this one, with your private phone numbers, fax number,
cell phone #, your home/Company's Address as I will be coming over to your
end for the sharing and for quick communication. I look forward to your
swift response.

Regards,
Barrister Adams Whales.

Email;(dradams_whales00@sify.com)
+234 8025488727

Note: Having or bearing the same name with my client will make this claim
very easy as I am going to present and submit your name as the next of kin
and with me the Attorney to the late man you have nothing to fear as I will
be contacted by the Contract Payment Committee for confirmation which I will
confirm you as the next of kin and the money will be paid to you.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam