419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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.
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "consignment " (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)
- "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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +34632629457 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- barriister.s.lewis@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Smith & Lewis, Barristers-Solicitors-Tax-Advisers"
<Smith&Lewia@Barristerlaw.com>
Reply-To: <barrister.s.lewis@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:50:47 -0800
Subject: ( A Promising Future)

Headquarters in Spain
Smith & Lewis, Barristers-Solicitors-Tax-Advisers.
Calle de Pedro Rico, 12 - Bajo, 28029, MADRID, SPAIN.
Tel: +34 63 262 9457
Fax: +34 91 291 9792
EmailAddress: barriister.s.lewis@gmail.com.
Website: Upgrading!!! Be back soon.
Date: 13.03.2012

Smith & Lewis
Law Firm
Barristers-Solicitors Tax Advisors

Dear Reader,
Do not be amazed by this letter. I am contacting you based on Trust and confidentiality that will be attached to this destined circumstance and opportunity.
Prior to my explanation, I must first tender an apology for this unsolicited Letter to you. I am conscious that this is certainly not a predictable way of approach to foster a relationship based on trust, but because of the circumstances and urgency surrounding this issue at hand,
Please permit me to briefly introduce myself; I am Dr. S. Lewis, a devoted & humble practicing Attorney with many great years of experience, with high reputation and awesome family background, married, with threegreat kids. You might be wondering how I came across to you, and also why YOU: well I actually got your contact information through the SWITZERLAND public records while searching for a last name similar to late Prof. Raymond, As an Attorney, I happened to be the Personal Lawyer to 1 late Prof.Raymond in SPAIN. Who was a multi-millionaire till the incident occurred He and his beloved Family lived in Spain for Thirteen years, he died along with his entire family during the Tsunami catastrophe which occurred in December 2004.Before the catastrophe occurred, he deposited a Consignment/Vault containing the sum of $8.8M (EIGHT MILLION, EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) with a Finance/Safe Keeping company in Spain and he did not disclose the exact content of deposited diplomatic box to the treasure house

I was given the privilege andultimatum to look for some relative’s for clearance and claim of the Vault. After preliminary efforts of search for a direct family member which came to no avail, I decided to contact you, my intension is that; I will like to present you as the beneficiary to this vault, I know you may not be in anyway related to Prof. Raymond but having a common surname and you and I, providing Legal and Authenticated back up documents, there is 99.9% possibility that the vault will be released and handed over to you. I can guarantee that if you are willing and interested, I will put in place all necessary modality in accordance with the Law as a professional Attorney, and will legally present you as the true Next of Kin and true beneficiary.

This transaction is 100% risk free as I have worked out all modalities to complete the operation effectively. Once the diplomatic consignment is released to you, we shall divide the content in the ratio of 40% for you, and 60% for me as our benefit. Each ($3.520 Million for you) and ($5.280 Million for me), Kindly indicate your interest to this letter either via mail as provided or you can call or send me a fax for further clarification. Endeavour to get back to me whether or not you are willing to collaborate with me or not, So that I can further my search for another partner.
I wait for your quick responds.

Kindest Regar ds

Barrister S.Lewis.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam