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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
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• 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)
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "you will be entitled to 30%" (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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: haris ahmed <haris_ahmed_38@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <haris_ahmed01@myway.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Jul 2007 10:03:41 +0000
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL



Dear Friend, TOP SECRETI am Mr Haris Ahmed, the director in charge of auditing and accounting section of Bank of Africa,Ouagadougou Burkina faso West Africa with due respect and regard.I have decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end of the transaction. During our investigation and auditing in this bank , my department came across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who died in a plane crash july 2000 and the fund has been dormant in his account with this Bank with out any claim of the fund in our custody either from his family or relation before our discovery to this developement. The said amount was EIGHTHEEN MILLION united states dollars.($18000.000.00) Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put the claim over this fund as the bonafide next of kin to the deceased;get the required approval and transfer this money to a foriegn account has been put in place and directives and needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your interest and willingness to assist us and also benefit your self to this great business opportunity. Infact i could have done this deal alone but because of my position in this country as a civil servant(A Banker),we are not allowed to operate a foriegn account and would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the time of transfer becuase i work in this bank. This is the reason why it will require a second party or fellow who will forward claims as the next of kin to the bank and also present a foriegn account where he will need the money to be retransferred into on his request as it may be after due verification and clarification by the correspondent branch of the bank where the money will be remitted from to your own designation bank account.I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free.On smooth conclusion of this transaction;you will be entitled to 30%of the total sum as gratification;while5% will be set aside to take care of expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone bills; while65%will be for me.Please;you have been adviced to keep top secret as i am still in service and intend to retire from service after we conclude this deal with you. I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you confirm the money in your account and ask me to come down to your country for subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated and further investment,either in your country or any country you advice us to invest.All other necessary vital information will be sent to you when i hear from you.I look forward to receive your email.Yours faithfullyMr Haris Ahmed.
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam