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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:

• 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:
  • "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. )
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "nigeria national petroleum corporation" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "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.
  • +2348051223039 (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.
  • barrister_willson2002@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • barrister_douglas2002@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Douglas Willson" <douglaswillson3@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: barrister_willson2002@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 10:22:53 -0700
Subject: hope to hear from you


From: Barrister Douglas Willson Esq.
Willson CHAMBERS ESQ.
Notary Public & Legal Practitioner
3 Bola Diyo,Ikoyi Close,
Victoria Island, Lagos - Nigeria
Mobile-Phone +234 805 1223039
Email: barrister_willson2002@yahoo.co.uk<http://uk.mc283.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=barrister_douglas2002@yahoo.co.uk>

*MyDear*,

I know that you will be surprise to read from somebody you have not known or
seen before, But behold" I entreat you to take the will for the deed. I
beleived it is indeed one the miraculous work of God that I got your contact
coincidentally when I was searching for the relatives of my late client: *
Mr.Dasne*,

I am Barrister Paul B.Don Esq, (Notary Advocate & Legal Practitioners) and I
am the personal attorney to late *Mr. Dasne*, a Foreigner from from your
country, a licensed Contractor with African largest crude oil producing
Firm, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation ( N.N.P.C.)

Well, On The 4th of May 2002, My Client, his Wife and their 2 Children were
involved in an Aeroplane Crash (while on a picnic-trip.) involving The BAC
111-500 belonging to EAS AIRLINES. Which the Pilot, 7 Crew Members and 65
Passengers on board unfortunately lost their lives.

To throw lights on this and more prove of my story, Please click the
undermentioned BBC ARCHIVE NEWS and CNN.com NEWS ARCHIVE >

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1968300.stm
http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/africa/05/05/nigeria.crash/

Since then I have made several enquiries 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 to no avail.

Basically I am contacting you to assist in accomodating a mega amount of
money left behind by my late client before it is confiscated or declared
dormant by the Bank where this huge approved contract fund is floating
unclaimed . The Bank where my late client had an approved contract payment
valued at Nine Million, United States dollars (US$9, 000.000.00) has issued
me a notice to provide the next of kin to my late client to claim this
approved contract payment or have the fund confiscated within the next (10)
official working days.

Therefore, Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over
2 years now, I am seeking for your permission to present you as the Next of
kin of the deceased since you are still a foreigner , and most fortunately
your Surname is the same with my late client, It will be easier and
convincing to present you as the next of kin to my late client Mr*.* Dasne
So that the proceeds of this contract fund valued at (US$9 million ) can be
paid to you.

Then after the transfer, It will be shared as follow: First and foremost,
10% of the total fund will be donated to Church and Motherless babies home
in your country, Then you and I will share the remaining money, 55% for me
and 30% for you, while the remaining 5% will be used to defray all our
expenses incurred during the course of this transaction such like Telephone
bills, Vats and Taxes as the bank or your government may require. I have
all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up this claim
such like e.g the Contract award and completion certificates of *DASNE
CONSTRUCTION AND CONSULTING CO LTD*, Death certificate of my client , e.t.c.
which i will furnish to you upon your acceptance to do this deal with me.
All I require is your honesty, mutual understanding and co-operation to
enable us actualize this lucrative deal which is a golden opportunity for us
to make wealth for our individual families.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me by
my email or mobile phone numbers as indicated above so that we can commence
the documentations quickly.

Finally I need your Mobile Cell, Telephone & Fax numbers for easy
communication in return.

Awaiting your urgent response.
Best Regards,

Barrister. Douglas Willson Esq.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam