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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
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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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 send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
  • "hundred thousand us 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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (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.
• 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.
  • kofi.okuoma111@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister. Kofi Okuoma"<kofi.okuoma111@yahoo.it>
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:32:18 -0700
Subject: vcvc

Barrister. Kofi Okuoma
01 BP 4174 AKPAKPA
COTONOU
REPUBLIC OF BENIN
Private e-mail: kofi.okuoma111@yahoo.it

Dear Friend
Please pardon the abruptness of this letter; it is due to its urgency. This letter is personal, intimate and confidential. There will absolutely be great doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this email, coupled with the fact that so many miscreants have taken possession of the Internet to facilitate their nefarious deeds, hereby making it extremely difficult for genuine purposes. There is no other way for me to know whether I will be properly understood,but I have to reach out to you.
For I know that there will be One that can be trusted. I got your data's from an International People Search Bulletin While searching for whom to assist in this mutual business.
My name is Barrister Kofi Okuoma, an attorney at law here in Cotonou Republic of Benin. I have a deceased client Engr. James Vermeer, who has lived and work here in Cotonou Republic of Benin since 1989, whom here in after shall be referred to as my client, lost his life on the Friday, 26 December, 2003. In a plane crash in Cotonuo Republic of Benin, unfortunately’ his wife and children also died in the plane crash. You may wish to read more about the incident on the following websites:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3348109.stm
Before his death, he deposited the sum of $8.5M (EIGHT MILLION AND FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) with Diamond Bank Plc.
The Bank has mandated me to present any family heir/inheritor for claims, before the funds gets confiscated or reverts to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, as unclaimed funds.Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for some years now I seek your consent to present you as the Next of Kin to my client. So that the proceeds of this funds valued at $8.5M (EIGHT MILLION AND FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money 50% to me and 40% to you and 10% will be set aside for any expenses incurred during this transaction. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.
Information needed are as follows:
[1] Name: ________________________________
[2] Address: ____________________________
[3] Age: _________________________________
[4] Sex: _________________________________
[5] Telephone: __________________________
[6] Fax: _________________________________
[7] Occupation status: __________________
All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Do send your reply to my direct Email: kofi.okuoma111@yahoo.it
Best Regards
Barrister Kofi Okuoma(ESQ)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam