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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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• What can you do when you receive 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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • ",000,000" (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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: frank aka <frankaka2@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <frank_chamber2010@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2007 12:04:19 +0200
Subject: GOOD DAY






Dear Sir/Madam,

I am FRANK AKA, an attorney at law. A deceased client of mine, by name Mr Andreas Schranner,who hereinafter shall be referred to as my client,died in an AF4590 plane crash in July 2000. See this website below: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

I am contacting you to assist in repatriating the money left behind by my client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this deposit valued at $35,000,000.00) is lodged This bank has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin, or the account will be confiscated.

My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary of my named client, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you. Then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed percentage. All legal documents to back up your claim as my client's next-of-kin will be provided.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from anybreach of the law. Please be informed that your utmost confidentiality is required.
If this interests you contact me on my private email:

Best regards,FRANK AKA


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam