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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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Fraud email example:

From: thomasbriggs303@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 21 May 2005 10:32:20 +0200
Subject: REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

FROM MR. THOMAS BRIGGS
NO 17 GARDEN STREET
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA
TEL: +27-73-518-4122

ATTENTION:SIR/MADAM,


This contact is tantamount to an unflinching desire to establish a long mutual business relationship based on trust and mutual understanding. I am MR. THOMAS BRIGGS The Payment Co-ordinator of ABSA BANK {AMAGAMATED BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA}.During the course of investigation it was found that the sum of $20.5M {Twenty Million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars} has been lying dormant in a suspense account of our Bank. This fund belongs to Mr.BRUCE C.WARREN and was safely deposited in a bank here but unfortunately the dastardly act of the terrorists September 11th on the WTC building brought his transaction to a halt. From the latest information I received from the United States,Mr.BRUCE C.WARREN was a victim of the Tuesday 11th September attack on the World Trade Center{WTC}New York.

Going by the policy in our country as against civil servants operating foreign account and also to have that kind of huge amount in our local accounts,I solicited for an individual that would be of assistance in transferring this money into his foreign account for personal investment purpose. Having found out that your city are known for business acumen and trustworthiness in business dealings.Because of this I have to solicit for your assistance,with an unflinching faith, that you will not betray me in this business.This is the reason why I am asking for your assistance to enable me invest the fund in your city,settle down with my family and also have you as my mentor.

If you can handle the transfer for our joint benefit please get back to me so we can discuss,as what is required now is either for us to have you as his next of kin or to transfer the money in your name.I want you to understand that this transaction must be kept in utmost confidentiality and secrecy as my future welfare hugely depend on it because the bank here might claim the fund if they got to know.Thank you for your co-operation in advance with an assurance that this is the beginning of our long term business relationship.

We will discuss the percentage when we talk. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely.

BEST REGARD

MR. THOMAS BRIGGS

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam