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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "million us 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)
  • "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found 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: FRANK BAMBA <frankbamba@hotmail.it>
Date: Tue, 31 Jul 2007 21:18:58 +0200
Subject: HOW ARE YOU? (FRANK BAMBA)


PARTNERSHIP FOR BUSINESS TRANSACTION

Dear Sir/Madam

Due to my careful search for an honest, reliable and sincere business =
partner, i got your contact from the internet and i ask if you can be trusted =
not to break an agreement? Still, it took me time to make up my mind to =
contact you and offer you this proposal of mine of which my whole life =
depends on.

Dear, my name is FRANK BAMBA the son of late DR.LAURENT BAMBA. My father =
was a highly reputable business magnet (a GOLD MERCHANT) who operated in the =
capital of (MALI, BAMAkO) during his days.

It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in ITALY during one of his =
business trips abroad on march 2002, my father deposited gold that worth of =
Eight million one Hundred thousand USD cash($ 8.1 million us dollars) in a =
security company in ITALY, and my name appears as the next of kin,

Due to my age 24 years old, situations of living here with his so called =
bretheren/relatives that are seeking for my life all angles, I don't know =
what to do, i need a partner who will help me retrive this gold from the =
security company to his country and sale them for immediate investment as i =
have made up my mind to invest the money.

More over that will help me stay with him or her in their country to further =
my educations. I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this =
regards and your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. Please =
permit me to ask these few questions:-

1. Can you honestly help me?

2. Can I completely trust you?

3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you?

Please consider this and get back to me and I will like truth and honesty to =
be our watchword in this business.

Yous sincerely
F. BAMBA.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam