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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:
  • "there are practically no risks 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: Tony <tonappiah@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2006 19:11:05 -0600
Subject: For Your Attention


Mr.Tony Appiah
Barclays Bank
Takoradi Branch
western Region
Accra-Ghana.

Dear Sir

My name is Mr.Tony Appiah,I work in international banking department of barclays bank,Takoradi branch in the western region of Ghana.I write you this proposal in good faith,On the course of last year 2005 business report,I trade with our bank money on foriegn exchange transactions ( FOREX)and made two million and nine hundred thousand united state dollars ($4,900,000.00) excess profit which my head office did not know about.I have placed this fund on what we call ESCROW CALL ACCOUNT with no beneficiary (OPENBENEFICIARY).

As an officer of this bank I cannot be directly connected to this money in transfering the money to overseas account,so my aim of contacting you is to assist me receive this money in your bank account and get 35% of the total fund as compensation.

I have put every machinery in perfect order for smooth transfer of the fund and there are practically no risks involved as it will be a bank-to-bank transfer with maximum of five bank working days.As soon as the transfer is done you will receive 35% as your compensation while I invest the remaining 65% on a good business in your country because I will go on retirement soon.

If you are intereted in this transaction indicate immediately by sending to me your private telephone number,mobile,fax number and your bank account
details to be used to process the transfer.

I expect your urgent response.

Sincerely,

Tony Appiah

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam