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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "trunk box" (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)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin 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.
  • johnsonkoffi_0006@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:45:44 -0800 (PST)
Subject: GOOD DAY/////


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: johnsonkoffi_0006@yahoo.com



- From The Desk of Barr .johnson koffiSenior& Advocate Moses .E Law Chambers 116 Rue De commerce Lome-Togo (West Africa),Dear Exeter,I am Barr .johnson koffi,a solicitor at law,personal attorney to Mr.P.A.,a national Of your country,who used to work with Shell Development Company in Republic of Togo.Hereinafter shall be referred to as my client.On the 21st of April 2006, my client,his wife and their only daughter were involved in auto crash along ecowas express road.All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives.Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy here to locate any of my clients extended relatives,this has also proved unsuccessful.After these several unsuccessful attempts,I decided to track his last name over the Internet,to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.I have contacted you to assist in repartrating the Fund valued at US$ 25.5 million left behind by my client before it gets confisicated or declared unserviceable by the Security & Finance Trust company here in Lome-Togo where this huge amount was deposited in a trunk box with other treasures.The said security company has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have his account confisicated within the next seventy two official working days.But they dont know that the realy content of this boxes.Since I have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives for over 2years now,I seek the consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you have the same last names,so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you.Therefore,on receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the sharing ratio and modalities for transfer. I have all necessary information and legal documents needed to back you up for claim.All I require from you is your honest cooperation 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.Barr .johnson koffi

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam