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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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)
  • ",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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "ROBERT NELLY" <robertnellyesq@mailbox.hu>
Reply-To: robert_nellyesq70@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Fri, 30 May 2008 08:08:27 -0700
Subject: Dear Sir,


Barr. Robert Nelly, Alfa Chambers
#16 Akintola William Str.Ikeja,Lagos.

Dear Sir,

I am a lawyer. I am the personal attorney to Late Mr. Kenneth Townsend, a
National of your Country, who work's as a contractor with Nigerian National
Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC), herein after shall be referred to as my
client. On the 21st of April 2002, my client, his wife and their three
children were involved in a car accident along Sagamu express road. All
occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have
made several enquiries to the embassy to locate any of my clients extended
relatives and this has also proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts to locate any member of his
family, hence I contacted you. I am contacting you to assist in repatriating
the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated
or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit were lodged.
Particularly, the bank where the deceased had an account valued above
US$10,000,000.00 has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have
the account confiscated and the funds returned to the government.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over two years
now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased
since you have the same last name, so that the proceeds of this account
valued above US$10,000,000.00 can be paid to you and then you and I can
share the money, 30% to me and 70% to you. I have all the necessary legal
documents that can be used to back up 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. and send to me your telephone and fax
numbers to enable us discuss further about this transaction.

I await your urgent response and positive attention in this circumstance.

Best regards,

Robert Nelly, LLB, LLM, BL,SAN
Attorney at Law.
ROBERT NELLY

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam