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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • stevecolelaw@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Steve Cole <colestevelaw3@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <stevecolelaw1@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2007 03:25:44 -0600
Subject: Dear friend,



Dear friend, This is my second letter to you, my name is Steve Cole, I received a letter from a bank here requesting for the next of kin to my deceased client. The Letter stated that he made fixed deposit of some amount of money last three years before his death. The bank is aware of his death, though he was not married, but did not leave a "WILL" nor Specified next of kin, the bank is anticipating someone with prove to come along for claims. As it is, no one can put up claims except someone with authority referred from my office. All efforts to get his family relatives have been abortive. I solicit that you allow me introduce you as his relative since I can not get his real family relative/next of kin. He was aged 56. He lived and worked here as a foreigner. Kindly let me know if you are interested so that I can give you further details and certain other documents to enable you contact the bank for release of the funds to you. I have spoken with the bank manager on this matter extensively and he is waiting for introduction to the bank according to his directives. 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 and will brief you on the details upon your response. Be this as it may,in your response kindly forward: 1.Your Full Names 2.Your Telephone number for easy and official conversation.3. Your age as well as your occupation4. Current contact address Please if you are interested in this REPLY URGENTLY through my private email: stevecolelaw@gmail.com SO THAT WE COMMENCE ACTION. Thanks,Steve Cole.
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam