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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Muzali Mustapha" <info.muzali@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:57:02 +0800
Subject: URGENT


FROM THE DESK OF BARRISTER MUZALI MUSTAPHA.WISMA CENTRAL, 50450 KUALA LUMPUR
MALAYSIA.

Attn

Bearing in mind the nature of the content of this letter coming from a
person without any referral, I apologize for any inconvenience, but please
read and objectively consider if we can work together. I am Barrister Muzali
Mustapha, a legal practitioner, this involves a foreign client of mine,who
died of heart-related illness,and was having domiciliary account as a
foreign businessman here in Malaysia that has remained dormant for three
years now with Nine million six hundred US dollars (US$9.6m) in it.

My late client died without a [WILL], hence the money is floating and if I
do not remit this money out urgently to a foreign account since my late
client is a foreigner, it will be forfeited for nothing as the bank was sold
on Monday, 19 September 2007 to another bank. Currently, the present
management of the bank is at the point of finalizing all transactions before
fully handling over to the new management which is an added advantage to
perfect this transaction. For the fact that i have been unsuccessful in
locating the relatives for over one year now. Recently, the Bank has issued
me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated, i
seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased.

I am writing you so that we can work together to remit the money to you as
the next of kin, because this money belongs to a foreigner and has to be
claimed by a foreigner. I have already developed a lagal proof and total
risk free means through which the fund can be released to the next of kin as
presented by me within a short period if time, after due documentation and
authentication process.

The strategy is to use my position and influence as the lawyer of the late
deceased to present you as the next of kin and beneficiary of the deposit
fund, so that the proceeds of the account can be paid to you. I shall ensure
that all relevant information and legal documents that may be needed to
actualize this transaction will be provided. All i require from you is your
honest and cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. I am
willing to give you 40% of the money,and 60% will be for me.

As soon as I hear from you, and upon your strong assurance and
confirmation to partner with us,we shall then start to processing of the
transfers without further delay. I guarantee you that this will be executed
under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the
law. Please contact me at once to indicate your interest.

Sincerely yours,
Barrister Muzali Mustapha Esq.

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