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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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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million united states 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.)
  • "chambers" (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.
  • otunbawilliamschamber02@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: otunbawilliamschamber02@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:05:27 +0100
Subject: I EXPECT YOUR REPLY SOON


Barrister Otunba Williams { Otunba Williams
& Associates Solicitors Advocate
& Notary Public of Nigeria}
No: 24 Alaba Ikoyi street
Lagos-Nigeria



My name is Bar. Otunba Williams, I may have to trouble your sense of
personal achievement and reward for an opportunity properly taken advantage
of. I wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the
total sum of US$ 18, 000, 000 (Eighteen Million United States Dollars Only)
in the intent of the deceased (name now withheld since this is my second
letter to you).I contacted you because you bear the same last name with my
deceased client and therefore I can present you as the beneficiary to the
inheritance, since there is no written will from my late client.



Our legal services aim to provide you with a complete service as I am
prepared to provide you with all the documents required by the holding
Bank to enable them release this inheritance funds to you. All the paper
works required will be process in your acceptance of this deal as I have
decided to give you 40% out of the total sum while 55% will be for me and my
office and 5% had been mapped out to offset whatever expenses that we may
likely incur at the course of this transaction.
Kindly supply me with the following information: via my private email:
otunbawilliamschamber02@hotmail.com



*** YOUR FULL NAM
*** YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS
*** YOUR DIRECT TEL/FAX NUMBER{S}
*** YOUR AGE AND OCCUPATION

I wait to hear from you urgently

Best regards,



Barrister Otunba Williams
Equity and Trust Chambers

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam