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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)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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 brother " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Theophilus Odia <theoodia2000@yahoo.com.au>
Reply-To: bonnyuch@jovem.te.pt
Date: Sun, 11 Mar 2007 04:29:08 +1100 (EST)
Subject: Dear Brother in the Lord ,


Dear Brother in the Lord ,

As you read this, I don‘t want you to feel sorry for me, because, I believe everyone will die someday.

My name is Mr.Theo Odia, a merchant in Toronto, Canada . I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live according to medical experts.

I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone (not even myself) but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world. I believe if given a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it.

Due to this illness,I have willed and given most of my properties and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a few close friends. I have decided to give also to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E, Algeria and Malaysia.Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore.

I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity organization in Bulgaria and Pakistan, they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them. The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of eighteen million dollars $18,000,000,00 that I have with a finance/Security Company abroad.

I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatch it to charity organizations. I have set aside 20% from the total amount $18,000,000,00 for you and for your time .

Yours Faithfully,
Mr.Theo Odia.

Please replying me through my personal address email::: maktoum@eSeeNet.com

Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam