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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• 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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "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)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: MARIAM ALEDU <mariamaledu20@netscape.net>
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2006 12:11:58 +0100
Subject: I NEED YOUR HELP


Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Miss Mariam Aledu, a daughter of Dr and Mrs. Johnson Aledu all from Liberia Repulic, Africa.

My father was killed in an assassination attempt which ended the life's of my mother , my immediate younger brother and my finace leaving behind I and my other
younger brother (Alfred Aledu) by troop suspected to be Rebels on the 21th october 2001 " What a tragedy, May their Souls Rest in Perfect Peace....Amen.
My father was a formal Minister of Power and Mines to the ruling Government of Charles Taylor and the assassination was believed to have done because of my father's undiluted loyalty to the Government.

Since April 2002, I and my brother had been living in this Spanish Island, Marlloca, as refugees. Now I have developed the faith that with you, that the vaccum created by these tragic event will be filled up believing that you are going to take absolute care of emotional problem caused by this tragedy and care for my brother (Alfred).

Above all, before the death of my late father, he deposited a box containing sum of Fourteen Millon, Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$14.3 M) with a Security Company here in Europe on agreement which i was the next of kin to. I and my brother struggle to smuggle ourselfs into spain because we have a copy of the certificate of this deposit. The security company did not know the content of this box because it was tagged "Aledu Family Effects".

I would like you to help us transfer this money into your personal account for business investment and help assist us secure visa to your country so that we will join you there.

I am 26 years old, I obtained my first degree in computer technology four months before the death of my parents last year which turned my life upside down.

I am fair in complexion ,1.6 meters in height, I weigh 68KG and an ad ant faithful Christain.

My hobbies includes listening to scientific and political stories , listening to new and old music, reading papers, novels and scientific books and admiring people's greatness achievements and talents

Write or mail back to me immediately and assure me that i am in the rightful hand , I expect to hear from you.

Wishing you the best in life

Mariam Aledu

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam