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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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)
• 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.
  • +2289222708 (Togo, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Kenneth OKOH <k_okoh2@yahoo.co.in>
Reply-To: mr.okoh2@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 22:15:01 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Can you handle this project?


FROM MR KENNETH OKOH.
AUDITING DEPARTMENT
ECOWAS BANK FOR INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT
(EBID-TOGO)
TELPHONE (:00228-922 27 08)

Dear Friend

I have a proposal for you - this however is not mandatory nor will I in any manner compel you to honour against your will. I am 50, and work with a bank (one of the African leading banks in the West Coast). Here in this bank existed a dormant account for the past 8 years which belong to a American national who is now late Mr.Raymond Beck Mrs. Dorene Beck who died on EgyptAir Flight 990

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/502503.stm

When I discovered that there had been no deposits nor withdrawals from this account for this long period, I decided to carry out a system investigation and discovered that non of the family member nor relations of the late person is aware of this account. This is the story in a nutshell. Now I want an account overseas where the bank will transfer this funds.Thereafter,

I had planned to destroy all related documents for this account. It is a careful network and for the past eleven months I have worked out everything to ensure a hitch-free operation. The amount is not so much at the moment and plus all the accumulated interest the balance in this account stands at-(US$ 9 million US dollars).

Now our questions are:-

1. Can you handle this project?
2. Can I give you this trust?
3. What will be your commission?
4.Your phone number?

Consider this and get back at us as soon as possible. Finally, it is our humble prayer that the information as contained herein be accorded the necessary attention, urgency as well as the secrecy it deserves. I Expect your urgent response if you can handle this project. Call me at this direct line +228 -9222708 after sending a mail for confirmation.

Respectfully yours,

Mr.Kenneth Okoh.
Reply and Call me lmmediately.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam