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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:

• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
  • "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)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +31617639271 (Netherlands, 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.
  • patrick_joop@yahoo.de (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR PATRICK JOOP" <pat_joop2007@yahoo.de>
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:24:20 -0200
Subject: YOUR URGENT RESPONSE IS NEEDED!!!



Dear Friend

Greetings and compliments.

I am Patrick Joop, a solicitor at law. I was
the personal attorney to Eng. Gilbert M. Reain, a
national of your country who used to work with an oil
servicing company here in the Netherlands thereof be referred to as my
client.

Eng. Gilbert M. Reain, 62 years of age made a fixed
deposit of fund valued at USD$12,500,000 (Twelve
Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars
Only) with a Finance Company here in Europe and
unfortunately lost his life in an Egyptian charter
plane Boeing 737 which crashed into the Red Sea early
on January 3 shortly after taking off from the resort
of Sharm el-Sheikh, killing all the 135 passengers and
13 crew members aboard, Ref: (View:
http://english.people.com.cn/200401/04/eng20040104_131791.shtml).
He left no clear beneficiary as Next of Kin except
some vital documents related to the deposit still in
my possession.

Recently, the governing body of the Finance Company
contacted me on this matter, requesting that I should
notify the next of kin of my late client to claim the
funds and I am yet to provide the Next of Kin to lay
claims to the Fund. I know that my client had no
living next of kin but I went ahead and made several
inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my late
client's extended relatives but this has proved
unsuccessful. Under a clear and legitimate agreement
with you, I seek your consent to present you as the
next of kin, so that my late client's fund will not be
confiscated by the Finance Company.

You and I can share the money, you will be entitled to
40% of the total fund for your role as the relative
and next of kin of my late client, 50% for me while
10% is to be marked out for any expenses that will be
incurred during the clearance or process of transfer
of the fund to your bank account. Be informed that
there is no risk involved as all necessary legal
documents that will be used to back you up as the
legal beneficiary and next of kin of my late client
will be procured.

All I require is your sincerity, honesty, co-operation
and utmost good faith to enable us see this deal
through. I guarantee that this will be executed under
a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from
any breach of the law. Kindly, get in touch with me by
my e-mail (patrick_joop@yahoo.de ) or
telephone to enable us discuss further. You may also
send your telephone number so that I can call you.

Do not forget that a transaction of this magnitude
requires utmost confidentiality and sincerity. I look
forward to your urgent response.

Thank you,


Regards
Barrister Patrick Joop.
Phone: +31-617-639-271 .
Fax: +31-847-181-615.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam