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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
  • "trunk box" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447024028742 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Tim Jones" <tjtjones14@hotmail.co.uk>
Reply-To: tjtjones70@mixmail.com
Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:37:24 +0000
Subject: Letter from Tim Jones

Dear friend,

A very good day to you and how are you doing today?

I am a director and head of operations at the Capital Trust Securities & Deposit Company a private security company here in the United Kingdom. I have contacted you in search of a partner who can assist me in receiving funds as a next of kin to a deceased client of my company who was a native of your country.

In mid 2002 our deceased client deposited in our custody a Trunk Box containing the sum of seven million three hundred and fifty thousand United States Dollars ($7,350,000) as vital personal effects for safekeeping. As the operations director, he confided in me that there is an urgent investment requiring cash payment he needed to make. Unfortunately, he passed away before he could come and claim the consignments after a brief illness. Since then we have tried in vain to locate any of his relatives to come forward for the claim.

The deceased client from all indications and investigations conducted by the company did notprovide a next of kin. This venture is risk free and I am willing to use my position here to the maximum to ensure the release of the consignments to you as his next of kin. Also I will provide the necessary logistics to give us a legal backing and I am offering a share of 30% of the inheritance if you assist in securing the release of the funds.

Kindly get back to me if you are interested so I can provide you with the necessary details towards the actualization of this venture for us both.

I will also advise that you keep this personal as possible.

I await your positive response.

Regards,

Tim Jones

Tel: +44-702-4028742

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam