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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:

• 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. )
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "await your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "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.

Fraud email example:

From: Evans Graham <evansgraham02@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <evansgraham01@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Jul 2007 00:44:51 +0000
Subject: For your attention/reply


Dear Friend,
I am Barrister Evans Graham, the Personal Attorney to a Foreign Contractor, who worked with a Multinational Oil Firm in United Kingdom. On Saturday, the 21st of April 2004, my client, his wife And their two children were involved in a car accident along Fulham road by Old Church Street, London. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to his embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has proved unsuccessful.
After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet, to locate any member of his family but to no avail, hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist me in repatriating the money left behind by my late client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank where this huge deposits were lodged. Particularly, the Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about Ten Million United States Dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next twenty official working days.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over Four years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at $10 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and I can share this money. 70% to me and 25% to you, while 5% should be for expenses or tax as your government may require, I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.
All I require is your honest cooperation 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. Please get in touch with me via email: as soon as you get this letter to enable us discuss on the modalities and process for success of this transaction. I also request for your private telephone number, fax number for easy and more confidential communication.
I await your urgent response,
Good day and God bless,
Yours truly, Barrister Evans Graham.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam