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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "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)
  • "is 100% risk-free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +27828338333 (South Africa, 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.
  • moha_williams4@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "mohammed williams" <mohammed_williams21@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2006 11:11:34 +0200
Subject: I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE

ATTN: THE DIRECTOR
FROM: MOHAMMED WILLIAMS
JOHANNESBURG
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
TEL: +27-82-833-8333
Email: moha_williams4@yahoo.com

Dear Sir,

PRIVATE AND HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL

Greeting! I know you will be surprised to read from me, but please this
letter is a request from a family in dire need of assistance. I am Mr.
Mohammed Williams from Angola. The first and the only son of Brigadier
Chanza Williams communicating to you from Johannesburg, South Africa.

I got your address from my random serch at the net. And, I on behalf of my
widowed mother Mrs. Bridget Williams decided to solicit for your assistance
to transfer the sum of US$15.8 Million (Fifteen Million Eight Hundred
Thousand United States Dollars), which he deposited in a safe box to private
security company in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In fact, my father said, and I quote: “My son, I wish to draw your attention
to US$15.8 Million (Fifteen Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars). I deposited the box containing the fund in a security company in
Johannesburg, South Africa as valuables. During the war, I was very
committed and dedicated in winning the war against the rebels, until I found
out that the senior army officers and government functionaries were busy
helping themselves with government funds and properties, sending them to
foreign countries. Due to this, when the former adviser to the president and
I were assigned by the president (JOSE EDUARDO SANTOS) to purchase arms in
South Africa, we saw this as a golden opportunity and diverted the money and
share it, of which I got a total sum of US$15.8 Million (Fifteen Million
Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).

In case of my absence on earth as a result of death, only you should solicit
for assistance of a reliable and sincere foreign partner to assist you to
transfer this money out of South Africa for investment purpose. I deposited
the box in your name and you can claim it alone with deposited code. Your
mother is with all the documents. Take good care of your mother and your
sisters.

>From this words of my late father, you can understand that life and future
of my family depend on this fund, as such I will be grateful if you can
assist us. We are now living in South Africa as political asylum seekers.
Financial laws and regulations of the Republic of South Africa do not permit
us certain financial rights. In view of this, I cannot invest this fund in
South Africa hence; I am seeking
your assistance to transfer this fund out of South Africa for investment
purpose. For your assistance, we are prepared to offer you 25% of the total
fund while 5% will be set aside for any expenses incurred during this
transaction.

Please note that this transaction is 100% risk-free and the major thing I
demand from you is to assure me the safety of this money when it finally
gets to you. Further information and arrangement commence as soon as trust
confidence and good relationship are established.I shall be most grateful if
you maintain the confidentiality of this matter. Please, confirm your
interest through the above contact Telephone numbers or email.

Best regards,

MOHAMMED WILLIAMS.
{For the family}

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam