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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "my direct telephone number" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: =?UTF-8?Q?infohamza?= <infohamza@lajt.hu>
Date: Sat, 04 Oct 2008 08:36:57 +0200
Subject: =?UTF-8?Q?Please_Call_Me_on_this_number_00233-242_870_426.?=


Office of Barrister. Hamza Ibrahim
P o Box 456
Accra-Ghana
Email: lawfirm1965@nifmail.jp
Tell: 00233-242 870 426
Dear Friend,
I am Barrister. Hamza Ibrahim, a Barrister at law, personal Attorney to Eng Edward E Smith, a nationality of your country, who used to work with Shell Development Company in Republic of Ghana. On Tuesday, 30 November 2004, my client, and their only daughter were involved in Mfensi on the Kumasi Sunyani Road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives. Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy here to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the fund valued at US$17.5 million Dollar left behind by my client before it gets confiscated or declared unserviceable by the  Ghana Where this huge amount was deposited. The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have his account will be confiscated within the next twenty one official working days. Since I have been unsuccessfully in locating the relatives for years now, I seek the consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased so that we can proceeds of this account can be paid to you. Therefore, on receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the shearing ratio and modalities for transfer. I have all necessary information and legal documents to back you up for this claim. All I require from you is your honest co-operation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
Best regards,
Barrister Hamza Ibrahim.
Email: lawfirm1965@nifmail.jp
Tell: 00233-242 870 426
Note: I will be very happy if you call me on my direct telephone number as soon you mail me on my private email lawfirm1965@nifmail.jp 00233-242 870 426 and please Indicate your Cell or Home number where I can get you on for more information on this Transaction and I hope that God will see us through.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam