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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (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.
  • +447075755401 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
  • +447864117358

Fraud email example:

From: Gerald Hamilton <info@geraldhamilton.net>
Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2007 23:33:02 +0100 (BST)
Subject: RE: MY GOOD FRIEND


Attorney Gerald Hamilton
3 VERDANT LANE
Woolwich, London U.K SE 16 1LF
Tel: +44-786-411-7358

Dear Elsa Schroemacher,

This is to acknowledge receipt of your email with thanks.

I am very happy with you on your willingness and also for being direct and truthful to this matter, first I will like to introduce my self to you, I am barrister Gerald Hamilton a solicitor and Advocate Attorney situated at Gerald Hamilton & Co., 3 VERDANT LANE Woolich, London U.K SE 16 1LF. I will work out everything as promised, since you have indicated your willingness to assist and cooperate with my directives/instruction we will make everything possible. I am equally replying your message with the zeal that you can be of immense help at this time to claim
this money as soon as possible from the bank where my respected late Mr. Andreas Schranner had the money lodged in. I am a believer and I have a very strong faith in everything that I do and I believe and know that this transfer will be completed successfully.


Being the solicitor to the deceased, the bank has been contacting me, to present my late clients next of kin or foreign partner whom the money is meant to be released to based on the agreement my client had with the bank that the money can only be released to his next of kin or foreign partner in the cause of his death, I had made frantic
effort to locate his relations who are not aware of this money. Ironically, it was unsuccessfull, which compelled me to contact you. I am very appreciative of your concern and will do every thing humanly and legally possible to transfer all the incurred benefits to your name as the next of kin or foreign partner of my deceased client under no
legal risk. I would want to reassure you that the process of this transaction is 100% risk free.



Thereafter, the whole fund valued at $12.2 Million Dollars will be transferred to your nominated account as I mentioned in my previous mail.This business demands absolute commitment and seriousness and I would want you to handle it with utmost care, confidentiality and urgency. Since you have indicated your interest to help claim this
money out from the bank.I feel strongly indebted to my late client, to make sure that his assets and valuables left behind are not wasted and forfeited to the bank. This mind pondering my thought informed my determination to recover his funds. In this regard, let us join hands together and claim this money from the bank as soon as possible which I am convinced, it will not take us up to 10 bank working days by their time frame to pay any of my late clients next of kin the funds.



Finally, an application of claim on the said fund which I will send to you will be submitted together to the management of the bank for harmonization, approval and subsequent transfer of your fund into your bank account. Hence, the application of claim will be submitted to the bank by you, you will be recognized as the beneficiary of the funds and the bank will thereafter, be contacting you directly. To facilitate the process of this transaction, urgently reconfirm the following information; for this application letter.




1. Full Name
2. Age
3. Marital status
4. Occupation
5. Tel/fax Number.
6. Your Residential address
7. Your Identity (driver's license or passport)


I would like you to call me after reading this mail for a brief discussion.
Meanwhile I will like you to respond as soon as possible so that we will proceed to the bank immediately without any delay. As soon as you send the required information requested I will send you the appilcation letter. I will provide the required certificates and documents.

VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION.


PLEASE SEE THE WEBSITE BELOW FOR A LIST OF FUND AWAITING INHERITANCE AND IF NOT INHERITED WILL BE CONFISTICATED BY
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AS UNCLAIMED.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/lifestyle/tv_and_radio/heirhunters_index.shtml


Yours Sincerely,
Mr Gerald Hamilton
Tel: +44-786-411-7358
FAX: +44 707 575-5401

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam