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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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:
  • "million 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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. John Fisher" <jf_fisher02@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2006 00:29:44 +0800
Subject: WITH TRUST

Attention:

With due respect I would like to disclose a mutual transaction to you.
I am Mr. John Fisher, working in the Base Metals European International Diplomatic Firm (Security Department). We have a consignment in our custody valued at $10,000,000.00 USD (Ten Million, United States Dollars) which was deposited by one of our customer’s since1998.

For the past six years it has been recorded in our computer system that the beneficiary of the deposited consignment is dead and up till date we have not received any signal from his relatives for claiming of the deposited consignment. Further to the above, my Director and I’ resolved to solicit for your cooperation to move out this Fund to your to your companies accounts or overseas accounts as the beneficiary or the next of kin for our mutual investment or benefit.

Company for your collection as the beneficiary. We will be responsible for all the documentations that will give your claim all legal backing needed as the Beneficiary or next of kin.

However, as soon as I receive favourable response from you, indicating your full names, Telephone and fax numbers, then I will update you on the mapped out procedures towards the success of this transaction. Note that this deal is 100% risk free and shall be concluded within five (5) working days. We shall be compensating you with (Two Million United States Dollars) that is 20% of the total amount, while the rest shall be for our investment purpose in your country.

Your free to ask any question considered necessary.

I am looking forward to your kindly response through my personal email.
Regards,
Mr. John fisher.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam