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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "ALHASSAN BALA MOHAMMED" <balaad@aim.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2007 18:11:54 +0000
Subject: PLEASE READ VERY URGENT !!!

FROM ALHASSAN BALA MOHAMMED

Private Email: balahassan001@aol.com

Dear friend,

Let me introduce my self to you, I am Alhassan
Bala Mohammed.

I have a serious sickness which has failed all medical treatment and right
now I have only about a few
months more to live on this earth, I want God to be merciful to me and
accept my soul so; I
have decided to give alms to the less privilege around the world, as I want
this to be one of the
last of my good deeds on earth.

So far, I have distributed money to some organizations in the Asia,
Pakistan and Sudan. 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
a motherless baby's home
in Bulgaria, 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 U.S$
10m (Ten million United
States Dollars) in two metallic trunks. This trunks were deposited in 2004
with a trusted Security Company
abroad. I want you to help me collect the trunks and dispatched the funds
therein to reputable charity
organizations. I have also set out 10% of this money to be giving to the
less privileged in Sri lanka, Indonesia
and Thailand 10% has being set aside for you and for your time.

If this proposition interest you,and you really want to assist me, kindly
forward the following information to
me:

Your name, telephone number(s) and residential address.

Please understand that these requested information will enable me gain
trust and confidence in you as
need to prepare all documents in your favor to make you the new beneficiary
to the trunks. Note that
I made the deposit as a diplomatic consignment and no one is aware of the
content except you.

Kindly respond through my private e-mail address.

Email (Private): balahassan001@aol.com

Kind Regards,
Mr.Alhassan Bala Mohammed.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam