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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "huge deposit" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money)
  • "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.
• 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.
  • bensonjohnson005@yahoo.com.au

Fraud email example:

From: "benson johnson" <benson_johnson@msn.com>
Reply-To: bensonjohnson005@yahoo.com.br
Date: Sat, 01 Oct 2005 04:36:08 +0000
Subject: MY GOOD FRIEND

Dear Sir/Maddam,
I am Barrister Johnson Benso {ESQ} a solicitor at law. I am the personal
Attorney To Mr Eric Doyle a national of your country, who lived in Nigeria,
Here in after shall be referred to as my client.On the 21st of April 2001,
my client was involved in a car accident Along Sagbama express road. All
occupants of the vehicle Unfortunately lost their lives. I have contacted
you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my
client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank
where this huge deposit was lodged.

Particularly, the THE BANK where the deceased had an account valued at about
9.5 million dollars Has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or
have the account Confiscated within the next twenty official working days.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives, I now seek your
consent to present you as the next of kin Of the deceased since you have the
same last name so that the Proceeds of this account valued at 9.5 million
dollars can be paid to you. If you agree, we can discuss your percentage.

I have all necessary Legal documents that can be used to back up any claim
we may make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing
this dealthrough.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement That will protect you from any breach of the law.Pls i will like
you to send me your full name and address ,private telephone and fax number
for easy communication.
Reply to my private email:bensonjohnson005@yahoo.com.au

Best regards,
Johnson Benson (Esq.)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam