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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
• 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.
  • barbrakofi@rocketmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Barbra Kofi <barbrakofi@rocketmail.com>
Reply-To: b_kofixx@yahoo.fr
Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:17:09 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Hello


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: barbrakofi@rocketmail.com



- Dear Friend, My intention of contacting you is to solicit your assistance for a project,which will be mutually beneficial.Though I know my decision to contact you is to a large extent unconventional, the prevailing circumstances necessitated my action. I am Barbra Kofi from Lagos,Federal Republic of Nigeria West African Sub-Region. I am married to Late Mr. Adams Kofi of blessed memory who was an oil explorer in Nigeria and Kuwait for twelve years before he died in the year 2006. We were married for twelve years without a child. He died after a fatal accident.We were both devoted Christian.Since his death I my self have been battling with both Cancer and fibroid problems. When my late Husband Mr. James C.kofi was alive he made a huge of money deposited in one of leading bank(Halifax Bank London) U.K(I will tell you the amount as we proceed).Recently, my doctor told me that I have only three months to live due to the cancer of liver problem.Having known my condition, I have!
decided to donate this fund to either an organization or individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want this organization or individual to use this money in all sincerity to fund orphanages, widows, Charity, etc. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my Husband's relatives are into some radical organizations. I will not need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health, secondly and most importantly, because of the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I don't want them to know about this development.As soon as I receive your reply, I will issue a letter of authority to the Deposit Firm through my lawyer who will be contacting you.Until I hear from you by email, my dreams will rest squarely on your Shoulders. Regards, Barbra

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam