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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "the help of diplomats" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (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: "waltersth1" <waltersth1@terra.com.mx>
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2006 10:55:34 -0600
Subject: DEAR FRIEND REPLY


FROM THE DESK OF
MR.WALTERS THOMAS.
cemac Bank of africa plc.
(bank for International Settlement)
headquarters complex cotonou,
republic of benin.

DEAR FRIEND.

MY NAME IS MR.WALTERS THOMAS.

Iam the head of Operations cemac Bank of africa plc.
Sometime in 1986, a certain man Mr.kelly smith brought a luggage marked family treasure to me for safe-keeping in our bank.I met the man in 1980 in America and he introduced himself as a SHIP CAPTAIN.We became intimate more when he realized my profession,there and then, he informed me about the consignment.

However, I did not take it so serious not until he brought the box to my office.I assisted him in depositing the treasure and CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT issued to him.However,he saw me as someone trustworthy and decided to hand-over the document to me for safe-keeping.

He left back to his country,though he is always on the Sea being a Sailor.
All our correspondence was through telephone.Our discussion stopped since last year when I called his telephone number, and behold someone else had bought over the telephone. the new subscriber told me that Mr. kelly smith died along-side, his wife and only two children at the World Trade Centre during the BIN-LADEN bomb blast, in America.

This news shocked me so much that MR. kelly smith did not leave any of his contact address or next of kin,and since then all plans to trace any of his relatives proved abortive.

Honestly, I became confused, and resorted to informing my colleague in the office, who suggested that we should open the box a little to know the content proper.

The box was carefully opened and GUESS WHAT? BILLS OF ONE HUNDRED UNITED STATE DOLLARS, denomination carefully defaced. I and my colleague agreed and secretly took the box out from the bank and deposited it with a security company here.

We have concluded plans to invest the money total eight million united staed dollars $8m(USD) out of cotonou republic of benin and required an assistance from a Would-be Trustworthy Over-Seas Partner who will help us receive the money overseas.

If you can assist us, we can arrange and bring the money to your country by the help of Diplomats,for investment. I and my colleague has agreed to give you 30% of the total sum. Be rest-assured that the transaction is 100%risk-free and your urgent response is highly needed.

So we cannot look for another person.

Best regards,
Mr.Walters Thomas

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam