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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
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "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.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <fs_office8@yahoo.fr>
Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2008 12:51:07 +0000
Subject: Good day.








BARRISTER (PROF) FRANKLIN SMITH(ESQ) Senior Advocate, International Legal Practitioner Wisdom Chamber's
Lagos Nigeria

FROM THE DESK OF SOLICITOR FRANKLIN SMITH.WISDOM CHAMBERS.LOCATED AT NO_,9B,AWOLOWO ROAD,S.W VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS-NIGERIA,
Good day, I am sorry for contacting you through this medium without a previous notice, I had to use E-mail because it is an easier and more confidential way of making contact with people around the world. My name is Barrister Franklin Smith, Fifty (50) years old Attorney here in NIGERIA.I had a client by Name Engr. Edward, who is a national of your country and contractor based here in NIGERIA now deceased. My client lost his life alongside his wife and only child on the 27th of January 2005 while he was traveling. Details of this incidence can be checked on the following website; <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2718295.stm><http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2698081.stm> Prior to the Death of my Late Client, He secured a contract of $17,500,000.00 million from the Federal Government of Nigeria, following which he received a 30% mobilization fee of US$5,750,000.00 Million and successfully executed the contract, but the balance of US$11,750,000.00 Million contract payment was in the Process of being transferred into My Late Client's Account with a Finance firm which he submitted to the Federal Government OF NIGERIA before he lost his life in the incidence. Three Months after his sudden Death, The Federal Government of Nigeria effected the transfer of the balance of his Contract Funds into the Account that My Late Client has on his file with the Government. As his personal Attorney before his death, I have been officially notified and instructed by the FINANCE FIRM where the money is currently deposited that I should provide and forward the particulars of Engr.Edward Inheritor so that the Funds in his Account can be remitted into his Inheritor's Account in accordance with Nigerian Laws. However, as the personal attorney and close confidant of late Engr.Edward, I want you to know that My late Client died interstate, i.e., He died without leaving a Will. Hence, all my efforts to locate any of his relative whom I can present to the Bank as his inheritor/heir has proved aborted. Therefore I am seeking for your consent to present you as the deceased relative/heir and subsequently the beneficiary of the fund so that the proceed of this account valued at $11,750,000.00 Million can be paid to you for subsequent disbursement between you and I. If you can cooperate with me and receive this fund as the inheritor to late Engr.Edward, confirm your interest by contacting me through my confidential email above. I can assure you that the deal is 100% risk free because I am in possession of the deceased personal file which contains all information which I shall use to prove your relationship with the deceased therefore the money will be paid into the account of whomever I present as LATE Engr. Edward, as the inheritor with proofs that I will present to the bank legally. When I receive a positive response and after properdiscussion with you, I will furnish you with all the relevantinformation that will facilitate the release of theFunds to you An Application will have to be filed tothe Bank for processing of the release of the Fundsinto your nominated Bank account any where in theworld. Please do send the following information of yours sothat we can get started with this mutual business transaction. 1. Your full legal names2. Your reachable Phone number.3. Your domicile Address. Your immediate reply will be highly appreciated. Truly yours,BARR FRANKLIN SMITH

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam