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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• 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:
  • "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. )
  • "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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "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.
• 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.
  • mrjeffthomas6@rocketmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:54:08 -0800 (PST)
Subject: I need your cooperation


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: mrjeffthomas6@rocketmail.com



- Hello, I am Barrister Jeff Thomas, the personal attorney to late Mr. Edward Lee, hereinafter referred to as my client, a national of your country who until his death was a major crude oil contractor with the federal government of Ghana. My client and his entire family were involved in a fatal auto accident which unfortunately claimed their lives along Accra express road, sparing none of the occupants of the vehicle. I have since then made several enquiries in a bid to locate any relative of my client’s, and this effort was to no avail. Hence, I have contacted you to assist in claiming the money left behind by my client before it is declared as unclaimed and unserviceable funds by the financial institution where it is deposited for safekeeping. I am particularly interested in securing the funds totaling fifteen million United States Dollars (US$15M). This is because the financial institution has issued a notice to me instructing me to produce the Next of Kin/Beneficiary to late Mr. Edward Lee or have the funds declared unclaimed and unserviceable. Considering my lack of success in my bid to locate his relatives for over two years, I solicit your consent to enable me present you as the Next of Kin to my deceased client. The funds will then be transferred to you as the beneficiary after which you and I will share the proceeds: 60% for me and 40% for you. I will provide all the necessary legal documents to back up any claim we make regarding this process, and will just require your understanding and cooperation. Your urgent response will be highly appreciated; you can as well forward to me your mobile telephone number for easier communication. Best Regards, Barrister Jeff Thomas.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam