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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
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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 about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "back to me via my private e-mail" (this SPAM email was sent to thousands of people)
  • "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a "Yukos oil" scam. The criminals who send such emails have no connection to Yukos Oil. The emails are usually sent from Nigeria. The only money that ever changes hands in this scam is from you to the criminals.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "SMITH ANDERSON" <smanderson5@yahoo.fr> (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 04:35:57 -0800
Subject: Your Reply

Dear Friend

I am barrister Smith Anderson and I represent Mr. Mikhail Khordokovsky the former
C.E.O of Yukos Oil Company in Russia. I have a very sensitive and confidential
brief from him to ask for your partnership in re-profiling funds in a private bank
investment portfolio in Western Europe. I will give the details, but in
summary, the funds are coming via Bank Menatep in Russia.
This is a legitimate transaction. You will be paid 5% of the portfolio
investment value as your "management fees". If you are interested, please

write back to me via my private E-mail and provide me with your confidential telephone
number, fax number and email address and I will provide further details and if you
are satisfied I can proceed with the instructions.
Please we can not afford any political problems because of recent events in
Russia. So I will advice you keep this to your self.Finally, please note
that this must be concluded within reasonable time frame therefore your prompt reply
is essential.

Write me back. I look forward to it.

SMITH ANDERSON (ESQ)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam