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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "transfer into your account" (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)
  • ",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)
  • "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: danial k <dk_k001@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <alfredchikere70@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:52:54 +0100
Subject: From Engr. Alfred Chikere.


ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICANSTATES [ECOWAS] GHANA BRANCH OFFICE. My Dear Friend, Re: Transfer of US$20,000,000.00 (Twenty million, united states dollars only)To a safe banking account. I wish to intimate you with this proposal in my capacity as a Chief Accountant and in full agreement with the Auditor-General of this Organization (ECOWAS] In Ghana office we scrutinized all records and the accounts of awarded and executed contracts of this Organization (ECOWAS) during the previous Administration, since the inception of democracy in ECOWAS SUB-REGION STATES and carefully uncover and mapped out a whopping sum US$20M which we want to transfer into your account as the beneficiary. You can authentically apply for supply if it interests you to be our client with full guarantee from me. The money $20M has been approved for payment by this Organization ECOWAS, the Federal Ministry of Finance (endorsed by the Accountant General of the Organization and to be paid through the Apex Bank under contract number, ECOWAS/OGN/FMF/GCB/B2517/99.As top civil servants, we are not authorized to operate foreign bank accounts hence our decision to use your account in full trust and confidence to transfer this money outside ECOWAS SUB-REGION. We have accepted you as our foreign partner sum (US$20M (Twenty million, united states dollars only). Moreover, it is pertinent to note that it is not risky and does not require much engagement since we have taken care of the deal in full capacity. We have resolved to give you 25% of the total for your assistance. If you are interested in this deal, please, contact me through my e-mail address above for more lively information. I am anxiously waiting for your response with hope that you will understand the confidential nature of this and its reality is a dream come through. Best regards,Engr. Alfred Chikere.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam