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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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "barr." (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: Saleem Usman <saleem_usman11@yahoo.dk>
Reply-To: saleem_usman101@live.com
Date: Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:59:44 +0000
Subject: Urgent Attention: Beneficiary

Dear Friend,

I hope this mail finds you and your family in good health.

I am Barrister Saleem Usman, I received a letter from a bank here
requesting for the next of kin to my deceased client. The Letter stated
that he made fixed deposit of some amount of money $9.2m (Nine Million Two
Hundred Thousand USA Dollars Only) before his death. On The December 26th
2003,My Client And His Entire Family Died In A Plane Crash In Contonuo,
Benin Republic.
You Will Read More Stories about the Rash on Visiting This Web
Site:
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/index.html

However, the bank is aware of his death, though he was married, but did
not leave a "WILL" nor Specified next of kin, the bank is anticipating
someone with prove to come along for claims. As it is, no one can put up
claims except someone with authority referred from my office.

All efforts to get his family relatives have been abortive. I solicit that
you allow me introduce you as his relative since I can not get his real
family relative/next of kin. He was aged 56. He lived and worked here as a
foreigner With Zenith Oil and Gas Company Here in Nigeria Thereafter.

Kindly let me know if you are interested so that I can give you further
details and certain other modalities to enable you contact the bank for
release of the funds to you. I have spoken with the bank manager on this
matter extensively and he is waiting for introduction to the bank
according to his directives. All I require is your honest co-operation to
enable us seeing this deal through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you and i from any breach of the law and will brief you on
the details upon your response.

Be this as it may, in your response kindly forward:
1. Your Full Names
2. Your Telephone number for easy and official conversation.
3. Your age and occupation
4. Current contact address.

Please if you are interested in this REPLY URGENTLY through my private
email:saleem_usman101@live.com

Thanks,
Barr.Saleem Usman

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam