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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "million united states 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)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • sabastin@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "insurance company" <insurance_34@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: sabastin@myway.com
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2006 09:40:15 +0100
Subject: Claim Needed Dear.

Dear Sir/Madam.
 
This letter is written to you based on contact information I came across on web while searching for investment options overseas. My name is {MR Sabastin Onyia} and I work as a manager in an insurance company here named Standard Trust Insurance Plc. Last month, I discovered one unclaimed policy for the sum of Three Million United States Dollars {US$3,000,000.00} to be paid out as SURRENDER VALUE for the LIFE ASSURANCE POLICY of one liquidated oil servicing company by name {CEDRY INCORPORATED} that went bankrupt nine years ago and does not exist anymore. For us to claim this money, we need a foreigner who will stand as the manager of the liquidated company to file a claim on this policy using details and information I will supply.
 
I have made efforts to get any foreign member of the liquidated company without success. I finally found a lawyer by name BARRISTER MOHAMMED BELLO who was the lawyer/attorney of the liquidated company. I revealed the unclaimed policy to him and he has accepted to work with me to get the Surrender value paid to the account of any foreigner I will provide to stand as the manager of the liquidated company. Barrister Bello told me that the manager then was very sick during their company’s liquidation and later died and for that reason no one raised the issue of their Surrender value with our insurance company.
 
If you accept to stand as the manager of the liquidated Company to claim this surrender value of three million dollars, I am willing to split the funds into three parts, for each of us having an equal share of One Million Dollars. Once you file the claim, we will do the rest for you in the inside and get the payment released in your name. If you are interested and capable, please get back to me through this  email                         sabastin@myway.com

 

I will send my identifications to you once you indicate your interest to work with me. There is no risk involved because the company has been liquidated and dissolved and has left Africa for about eight years now. This Barrister Bello and I will come over to your country for our share once this transaction is concluded. I am optimistic that we will conclude this transaction within three weeks. Thanks in advance for your anticipated co-operation
 
Regards
Mr. Sabastin Onyia.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam