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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:
  • "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 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.
  • usman_bello814@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "barrister usman" <barristerusmanb@beehive.org>
Reply-To: usman_bello814@myway.com
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2008 11:02:40 +0100
Subject: Good Benefit


BELLO & ASSOCIATES
(FINANCIAL ATTORNEY,NOTARY & SOLICITOR)
ADDRESS :SUITE 408 ELEGANZA PLAZA APAPA- LAGOS.
E Mail
:usman_bello814@myway.com<http://us.f319.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=usman_bello814@myway.com>
Tel:234 80269 404 58

Dear Friend


I am sorry at the perceived confusion you may have by receiving this letter
from me since we have not previously met. To be precise I am a solicitor at
law. I am the personal attorney to Engr. .Mark , who used to work with
Shell-petroleum Development Company in Nigeria. Hereafter shall be
referred to as my client.

On the 21st of April 2000, my client, his wife and their Three children
were involved in a car accident along sagumu Express road. All occupants of
the vehicle unfortunately Lost their lives.

Since then I have made several enquires To their embassy to locate any of my
clients extended Relatives.This has also proved unsuccessful. Hence I
Contacted you. I have contacted 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 deposits
were lodge.

Particularly, the finance company Where the deceased had an account valued
at about 11.5million Dollars has issue me a notice to provide the next of
kin of The deceased or have the account confiscated within a short Period of
time.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for Over 3 years
now I seek your consent to present you as the Next of kin of the deceased,
so that the proceeds of this Account valued at 11.5million dollars can be
paid to you and Then you and me can share the money.55% to me and 40% to You
,and 5% is for un-foreseen expenses.

I have all necessary legal documents that can be used To backup any claim
we may make. All I require is your Honest cooperation to enable this deal
through. 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 my email for more details and send to me
yourTelephone and fax numbers to enable us further about this Transaction.

Best regards,

Barrister Usman Bello
(principal partner Bello & Associates)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam