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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand us 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)
  • "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.)
  • "cotonou" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Tommy Obaro" <legalmatters_002@unimail.mn>
Reply-To: legal_matters_chamber@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:11:13 -0700
Subject: Official Notification as next of Kin


Dear Sir/Madam,

Before I start, I must first apologize for this unsolicited mail to you. I
am aware that this is certainly an unconventional approach to tablishing a
relationship,but you will realize the reason for my action after going
through this email.


I am Barrister Tommy Obaro, a solicitor at law. I am the personal Attorney
to Late Michael Chavez. I got your impressive information after a Conscious
search for a reliable and matured mind that has all it takes to execute this
project. I was elated when I saw your address, and I picked a keen interest
with confidence to solicit for your help in executing this
opportunity.However, I was moved to contact you based on the present
situation of this opportunity, which I may say, is a God given offer.

There was a foreigner who lived here in COTONOU some time ago; he is called
Michael Chavez by name, until his death. I was his Personal attorney,
unfortunately Michael Chavez died with his wife and their two kids in an
inter state Plane Crash at Kano State which en route from sokoto ,during a
visit to his wife family. all occupants in the Plane lost their lives,
unfortunately on this same flight were other dignitaries like the former
Sports Minister and a host of others. The following websites could be
referenced:

http://www.usafricaonline.com/ngrkanocrash.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1968616.stm

Owing to his death, his bank called on me for a meeting as regards his
Account balance with the bank, being h is attorney till the time of his
death, I was told to come up with any of his relatives to come and claim the
money, I tried all I could to trace his family, but all my efforts proved
abortive.

Since January this year till date, the bank has been asking me to look for
his family because they realize that a lot of people have been trying to
claim the money as his next of kin, but after verification, It is found out
that those people are not really his next of kin, because they cannot
provide any legal evidence to prove that they are his relative.Hence, I have
decided to use you as his next of kin to claim the money as it happens that
none of his relatives will ever appear to claim the funds, besides I have
all his documented memo in my possession, which will back you up before the
bank as his next of kin.

I have the logistics to make your name to be that you are the rightful next
of kin to the deceased and as well as the beneficiary of the funds. The
amount involved is US$9.2 Million) Nine Two hundred thousand US Dollars. We
will share 50 / 50% of the total sum after taxes and fees that will be
incurred during the approval process.I will like to invest my own part of
the money in your country based on your advice.As regards that, I will like
you to furnish me with the following information,which I will use to secure
the legal documents,

1). FULL NAMES
2). COMPLETE CONTACT ADDRESS
3). CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS
4). FAX NUMBER
5). OCCUPATION
6). AGE
7). Sex

As soon as I receive your information, I will forward an application for
account closures to which you will submit to the concerned bank as his next
of kin. Be rest assured that, there is no risk involved as I have perfected
and made the necessary arrangements to back you up in claiming the funds.I
will want you to regard this deal as being highly confidential because this
business transaction demands a high level of secrecy as the bank does not
know that I am involved in the deal. if interested in the transaction and to
enable me feed you with more information, then do all you can to furnish me
with all the needed informations.

Thanks for your anticipated co-operation.

Regards,
Barrister Tommy Obaro

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam