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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:
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • louisoba@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Louis Oba <louisoba@aim.com>
Date: Sat, 09 Sep 2006 12:38:36 +0200
Subject: VERY URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL


FROM: Mr. Louis Oba
Auditing and Accounting Unit
ABSA GROUP BANKS OF SOUTH AFRICA
E-mail:louisoba@aim.com

VERY URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL


I am Mr. Louis Oba, the director in charge of Auditing and Accounting section of ABSA GROUP BANKS OF SOUTH AFRICA. With due respect and regard, I have decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us. During our investigation and auditing in this bank, my department came across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who died on October 31st 1997 in an auto crash and the fund has been dormant in his account with this bank since 1996 without any claim of this fund in our custody either from his family or relation.

A close investigation revealed that the deceased has no existing relation as next of kin. The said amount is USD $35.5 (Thirty-five thousand Five Hundred Million Dollars).
I want you to collaborate with me to put a claim on this money as the next of kin of the deceased account holder, Mr. Duckson Dritz. I and my colleagues will present you as the next of kin. Meanwhile all arrangement to put claim over this fund as bonfire next of kin to the deceased, get the required approval and transfer this money to your designated foreign bank account, has been put in place. Directives and needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your interest and willingness to assist us in this RISK-FREE and highly confidential transaction.

On your reply, we shall discuss the sharing ratio for each party to this transaction. Please feel free to contact me on my E-mail:louisoba@aim.com, for further directive and or clarification on this transaction.
I look forward to a mutually beneficial business relationship with you.

Best wishes,

Mr. Louis Oba
(Auditing and Accounting Unit)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam