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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:
  • "because it still remains the fastest medium of communication" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "i feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +27741969290 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
  • +27866329031 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • zamapat@hotmail.com
  • zamapat@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: zama pat <zamapat17@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2007 04:23:12 +0200
Subject: ATTENTION:



FROM: MR. PATRICK ZAMA 101 PITZER RD. GLEN JOHANNESBURG , SOUTH AFRICA. TEL: +27 74 196 9290 FAX: +27 86 632 9031 E-MAIL: zamapat@hotmail.com / zamapat@yahoo.co.uk
ATTN: SIR / MADAMI feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business. I choose to reach you through this medium because it still remains the fastest medium of communication. However, this correspondence is unofficial and private, and it should be treated as such. At first I will like to assure you that this transaction is 100% risk and trouble free to both parties. My name is Mr. Patrick Zama, the Chief Auditor of NedBank one of the leading banks in South Africa . There is an account that has not been operational for the past fifteen years as the owner died leaving nobody as the next of kin.My bank shall confiscate the amount in the account (US$18.5Million) Eighteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars by the end of next month if we are not able to track anyone that knows the beneficiary.I want to present you as the next of kin to the former holder of the account to enable us legitimately transfer the sum to your overseas account. If you are interested, I will furnish you with the details that you need to know about the account.I also like to let you know that 25% of the entire amount after the transfer will belong to you, While 75% will be for me which you will transfer to my overseas account. Please get back to me immediately on this so that we act fast and get the money transferred.I await your urgent reply.
Best Regards,

Mr. Patrick Zama
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam