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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million us 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)
  • "10% will be kept aside for expenses" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "there is no risk involved" (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: "shawn irvin" <ashawnirvin2@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: shawn_irvin123@walla.com
Date: Mon, 06 Nov 2006 15:05:36 -0800
Subject: GOOD NEWS

Dear Friend
Good day to you,
My name is Irvin Shawn I am an American soldier,
serving in the military with the Third infantry Division in Iraq. I and my
superior moved funds belonging to Saddam Hussein, the total is
$25,000,000.00 (Twenty Five million US dollars) this money is being kept
safe in a secured location. You can go to this web link to read about
events that took place here:

http://news.bbc.co.

uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
Basically since we are working for the government we cannot keep these
funds, we have decided to look for someone to help us keep this funds this
is why I have contacted you, so you can keep it for us in your safe account
or an offshore account. We will divide the total funds in three ways, since
we are three involved in this. You will take 30%, and 30% will be for me,
and my superior will take 30%. 10% will be kept aside for expenses.
This business is confidential, and it should not be discussed with
anyone.
There is no risk involved whatsoever. If you are interested I will send you
the full details, my job is to find a good partner that we can trust and
that will assist us. Can I trust you? To ensure confidentiality, when you
receive this letter, kindly reply me via e-mail signifying your interest
including your confidential telephone/fax numbers for quick communication
and also your contact details. This business is risk free.
Reply this e_mail to my private e_mail address:

shawn_irvin123@walla.com

Respectfully submitted
Sgt. Irvin Shawn

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam