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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.

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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:
  • "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. )
  • "huge deposit" (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.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: Mr Frank Morris <frank.9morris7@msn.com>
Reply-To: <frankmorris042@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 09:10:08 +0000
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL.



Attention:
Good Day

I am Barrister. Frank Morris, Solicitor and Personal Attorney to MS ANNABEL, An immigrant who was illegally nationalized, living and working in South Africa.

On the 21st of April 2000, my client was involved in a car accident along the Johannesburg interstate High Way unfortunately, Ms. Annabel lost her life in the event of the accident, this has prompted me to contact you, I have made several inquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives and this has proved unsuccessful. I decided to contact you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the firm/Government of South Africa where these huge deposits were lodged. Particularly, the firm where the deceased had a deposit valued at about $100.5 Million USD (Hundred.five Million USA Dollars). Consequently, the firm issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the deposit declared recovered treasure and diverted to the public funds/bank reserve..

Since I have been unsuccessful to locate the relatives for some years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you are the same country that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you for both of us to share the money;
60% to me and 35% to you, 5% to charity. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up the claim. I will provide you with more information on this as we progress.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.
Best regards,

Mr Frank Morris.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam