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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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "huge deposit" (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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "MARK OKEKE" <markokeke009@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mark_okeke2000@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 03 Jan 2006 08:42:34 +0000
Subject: Dear Good Friend,

Dear Good Friend,

I am Mark Okeke {ESQ} a solicitor at law. I am the personal Attorney To Mr.
David Clavijo, who lived in Nigeria, Here in after shall be referred to as
my client. On the 21st of April 1999, 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 security company where this
huge deposit was lodged.

Particularly, the security company where the deceased had an account valued
at about 10.5 million dollars Has issued me a notice to provide the
beneficiary or have the account Confiscated within the next twenty official
working days, I now seek your consent to present you as the beneficiary Of
the deceased so that the Proceeds of this account valued at 10.5 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. Please I
will like you to send me your full name and address, private telephone and
fax number for easy communication.

Best regards,
Mark Okeke (Esq.)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam