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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
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• 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:

• 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 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.
  • +2348029078764 (Nigeria, 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.
  • barristerwilliamjohnsonatlaw@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "BARR WILLAIM WILLAIM" <barrwilliamjohnson_san@msn.com>
Date: Sun, 09 Oct 2005 15:44:08 +0000
Subject: URGENT REPLY NEEDED

WILLIAM JOHNSON CHEMBERS-AT-LAW
NO:5 ISOLO EXPRESS WAYS LAGOS
NIGERIA,
TELE:234-802-907-8764
EMAIL:(barristerwilliamjohnsonatlaw@yahoo.com)

Dear Good Friend ,

I am Barrister William Johnson {SAN} a solicitor at law. I am the personal
Attorney To Mr TIMBERLAKE PAUL 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 beneficiary 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 beneficiary Of the deceased 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 deal
through.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.


C0PY YOUR REPLY TO MY PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS;

Best regards,
Barrister William Johnson (SAN)
TELE:234-802-907-8764

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam