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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • ahmed_huhammed1960@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "ALHAJI AHMED MUHAMMED" <ahmed_muhammed19@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: ahmed_huhammed1960@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2005 08:18:28 -0700
Subject: Dear Friend

FROM THE DESK OF DR AHMED MUHAMMED
MANAGER CREDIT AND FOREIGN BILLS
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB)
EMAIL: ahmed_huhammed1960@yahoo.com

Dear Friend

My name is Dr Ahemd Muhammed Manager credit and foreign bills AFRICAN
DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB).I am writing inrespect of a foreign customer of my
bank named (MR. ANDREAS SCHRANNER from Munich, Germany), with account
number 14-255-2004/utb/t who unfortunately perished in a plane crash in
Jully 2000 Since the demise of this our customer, I have on my own capacity
watched with keen interest to see his next of kin but all has proved
abortive as no one has come to claim his funds $26M, (TWENTY SIX MILLION
UNITED STATES DOLLARS) which has been with my branch for a very long time.
On this note, I decided to seek your consent to transfer this money into
your bank account.

I shall acquire every necessary document to back our claim thereby
pronouncing you the next of kin and the rightful successor to this money. If
this money is unclaimed for a certain period the account will be dormant and
will be recalled into the bankâ??s treasury. I will compensate you with $5M
(FIVE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) I also wish to invest this money in any
viable business that you shall suggest. I will send you by fax or e-mail
every document fortifying this transaction, and the next step to take. I
will not fail to bring to your notice that this business is hitch free and
that you should not entertain any fear as all modalities for fund transfer
can be finalized within seven banking days, after you apply to the bank as a
relation to the deceased. So to assure you very well you can vist this site
bellow

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

when you receive this letter. Kindly send me e-mail signifying your decision
including your private Tel/Fax numbers for quick communication. Thanks in
anticipation

DR AHMED MUHAMMED
TREAT AS URGENT AND CONFIDENCIAL

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam