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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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)
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
  • "you will be entitled to 30%" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "dennis coker" <usman_yahaya3@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2006 12:56:31 +0000
Subject: YOUR REPLY IS NEEDED URGENTLY

FROM THE DESK OF :USMAN YAHAYA
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING SECTION,
Union Togolaise Du banque (UTB),
Lome Togo,WEST AFRICA.
Dear Friend,

(TOP SECRET)

I am.Usman yahayar,the director in charge of auditing and accounting section
of Union togolaise Du Banque (UTB) Lome Togo West Africa with due respect
and regard. I have decided to contact you on a business transaction that
will be very beneficial to both of us at the end of the transaction .
During our investigation and auditing in this bank, my department came
across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who died on
October 31st 1999 in a plane crash and the fund has been dormant in his
account with this Bank without any claim of the fund in our custody either
from his family or relation before our discovery to this development.
The said amount was U.S $15.2M (fifteen million two hundred thousand United
States dollars) As it may interest you to know, I got your impressive
information through the web directory.
Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put claim over this fund as the
bonafide next of kin to the deceased, get the required approval and transfer
this money to a foreign account has been put in place and directives and
needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your
interest and willingness to assist us and also benefit your self to this
great business opportunity.
In fact I could have done this deal alone but because of my position in this
country as a civil servant(A Banker),we are not allowed to operate a foreign
account and would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the time of
transfer because I work in this bank.
This is the actual reason why it will require a second party or fellow who
will forward claims as the next of kin with affidavit of trust of oath to
the Bank and also present a foreign account where he will need the money to
be re-transferred into on his request as it may be after due verification
and clarification by the correspondent branch of the bank where the whole
money will be remitted from to your owndesignation bank account.
I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. On
smooth conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 30% of the
total sum as gratification, while 5% will be set aside to take care of
expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone
bills, while 65% will be for me and my partners.
Please, you have been adviced to keep "top secret" as I am still in service
and intend to retire from service after we conclude this deal with you.
I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you confirm
the money in your account and ask me to come down to your country for
subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated
and further investment, either in your country or any country you advice us
to invest in.
All other necessary vital information will be sent to you when I hear from
you.
I look forward to receive your immediate response
Yours faithfully,
MR.yahaya usman

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam