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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister Phillip Page" <barrpage@terra.com.mx>
Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2006 19:26:52 -0300
Subject: REPLY ASAP


Greetings,
I am Barr. Phillip M. Page. I am reaching you to handle an investment portfolio.
I am reaching you to assist in repatriating the funds and property left behind by my late client before it will be confiscated by government and declared unserviceable by the bank where the huge deposits were lodged.
He died intestate and every attempt to trace any member of his family has proved abortive and unsuccessfull.
Do note that who you are does not matter and you will be better informed when I hear from you.
I want you to respond by sending:
1. Your full names
2. Tel & fax numbers
3. Complete Address
Send the above information and I will funish you with more information about the estate and process of transfer to you.
Yours Faithfully,
Barrister Phillip M. Page esq.
London, U.K.
N.B:
Please respond with your full names, address, phone and fax numbers for the immediate start up of this transaction. Do note that who you are does not matter and you will be better informed when I hear from you.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam