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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.

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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:
  • "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Martin Butego" <matt02@marsool.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2006 18:33:39 +0300
Subject: I look forward to your earliest reply.


DEAR PARTNER,

I guess this letter might come to you as a surprise since I had no previous
correspondence with you, But with due respect I got your contact from the
Internet in my research for a reliable and honest person who will be capable and
fit to assist me in handling a very confidential business transaction involving
the transfer of US75 million dollars only.

I am Martin Butego,an accountant and bank manager. The Board members with the
office of the Director, International Remittance/Foreign Operation, has approved
and accredited this reputed bank to handle and transfer all foreign inheritance
funds this final quota of the year. I have a client involved a German and an oil
merchant broker, who died in a plane crash with his wife and children. Hence the
dormant nature of His account and without any traceable next of kin and if I do
not remit this money out urgently,the account will be confiscated and the funds
will be re-channeled into the government purse.

All i need from you is to stand as the next of kin to my late client which i
will present you and provide either an existing bank account or set up a new
Bank account immediately to receive this fund. I am only contacting you as a
foreigner because this fund cannot be approved for a local account here and I am
not supposed to be in possession of such amount of dollars,but the fund can only
be approved to any foreigner whom i present as the beneficiary.

I will use my position in the Bank to do all the underground work and hasten the
approval and release of the funds in your favor.I will be monitoring the whole
situation here in this bank until you confirm the funds in your account and ask
me to come over to your country for our subsequent sharing of the fund according
by percentages

At the successful completion of the transaction,You shall be compensated with
30% of the money for standing in as the beneficiary of the funds while 70% goes
to me as the originator of the transaction.

Further details about this transaction will be discussed in the subsequent
correspondence.

Best regards,
Martin Butego.
FOR UNITED BANK OF AFRICA PLC

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam