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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
  • "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)
  • "million 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.)
  • "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.
  • +2348088505102 (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.
  • mr_johnabi2004@latinmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • 3amr_johnabi2004@latinmail.com
  • mr_johnabi7@yahoo.dk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • 3amr_johnabi7@yahoo.dk

Fraud email example:

From: "BARRISTER JOHN ABI" <barrister_johnabi1@gala.net>
Reply-To: mr_johnabi7@yahoo.dk
Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 12:54:32 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend,


BARRISTER JOHN ABI
PLOT 998 IDEJO/DANMOIE STREET
VICTORIA ISLAND
LAGOS NIGERIA
E-MAIL:mr_johnabi2004@latinmail.com <E-MAIL%3Amr_johnabi2004@latinmail.com>
MOBILE+234-8088-505102

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

Dear Friend,

I am Barrister John Abi, an advocate and Solicitor. I am the Personal
Attorney to Mrs. Patten J. a foreigner who used to work with European
Development Company in Nigeria. On The 21st of April 2005, my Client, his
wife and their three children were involved in a car accident along Agama
Express Road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.

Since then I have made several inquiries to his embassy to see if I can
locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has all the while proved
unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace
his relatives (i.e. same surname) over the Internet, to locate any Member of
his family but of no avail, hence I contacted you.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money left behind by my
Client before it is confiscated or declared in serviceable by the bank where
this huge deposit ere lodged. Particularly, the Bank where the deceased had
an account valued at about 7.3 million dollars has issued me a notice to
provide the next of kin to the deceased or have the account confiscated
within the next ten official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in Locating the relatives for over 2 years
now I seek your consent to present Noun as the next of kin of the deceased
since you are still a foreigner, so That the proceeds of this account valued
at $7.3million US can be paid to You and then you and me can share the
money, 50% to me and 45% to you, while 5%should be for expenses or tax as
your government may require.

I have all 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 seeing
this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
Arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the Law.

THIS FUND IS AS A RESULT OF INHERITANCE ON YOUR BEHALF:

YOUR NAME:......................................

YOUR ADDRESS:....................................

YOUR TELEPHONE ..................................

YOUR AGE.........................................

YOUR SEX:........................................

YOUR OCCUPATION...................................

AS SOON AS WE RECEIVE THIS, WE WILL COMMENCE WITH ALL NECESSARY PROCEDURES
IN OTHER TO REMIT THIS FUND INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.
Please get in touch with me by my
EMAIL:mr_johnabi7@yahoo.dk<EMAIL%3Amr_johnabi7@yahoo.dk>
Email:mr_johnabi2004@latinmail.com <Email%3Amr_johnabi2004@latinmail.com>
Best Regards,
Barrister John Abi
MOBILE+234-8088-505102

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam