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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:
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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:
  • "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "trunk box" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "trunk boxes" (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)
  • "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a orphan scam.
• 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.
  • venuscollins100@yahoo.co.jp (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "VENUS COLLINS" <venus_collins001@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: venuscollins100@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Sun, 6 May 2007 01:29:55 +0200
Subject: YOU ARE BLESSED

Dearest One,

I duly apologize for infringing on your privacy, if this message is not acceptable to you as I make this proposal to you as a person of integrity. However it is not mandatory nor will I in any way compel you to honor it against your will.

I am Miss Venus Collins 23 years old and the only daughter of my late parents Mr. and Mrs. Collins. My father was a highly reputable business magnet-(cocoa merchant) who operated in the capital of Ivory Coast during his days.

It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his business trips abroad 18th.December, 2004.

Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his who traveled with him at that time. But God knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 3 years old, and since then my father took me so special.

Before his death on 18th.December, 2004 he called me and confided in me that he had a sum of US$11.5M DOLLARS (ELEVEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS) deposited in a finance & security company which he deposited and registered as FAMILY BOND. Meanwhile the security company does not know the original content of the TRUNK BOXES.
As his only child and daughter and the next of kin. He also explained to me that it was because of his wealth that he was once poisoned by his business associates, and that should encase he could not make it again I should seek for a foreign partner in any country of my choice who will help me claim the money from the security company after which I can relocate together with the person to his or her country and invests the money in a long time investment.

I would want you to assist me in claiming this trunk boxes which contains the money from the security company and then transfer it to your own country after which I shall come over there so we can deliberate on what to invest the money.

I am just 23 years old and a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do. I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in Ivory coast. The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life.
N/B Please get back to me through my private email address (venuscollins100@yahoo.co.jp)
Dearest one, I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards, your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded.
Now permit me to ask these few questions:
1. Can you honestly help me?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question would you want me to give to you after the box is claimed?

Thanks in Anticipation.
My sincere regards
Miss Venus.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam