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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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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
  • "huge deposit" (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 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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • barprivate_net200@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: barprivate_net200@yahoo.com (FROM THE DESK OF:BARRISTER GEORGE & ASSOCIATES)
Reply-To: barprivate_net200@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2007 10:52:45 -400
Subject: FROM THE DESK OF:BARRISTER GEORGE & ASSOCIATES

FROM THE DESK OF:BARRISTER GEORGE & ASSOCIATES
No. 20, BURMA ROAD,APAPA, LAGOS -
Private Email:barprivate_net200@yahoo.com

Dear Sir/Ma

I am Barrister George Harry Solicitor, Personal Attorney to
one foreigner (ENGR ANTHONY GOODLUCK), who used to work with Shell
Petroleum Company.

On the 21st of April 2003, my client, his wife and their three
children were involved in a car accident.Unfortunately they all lost
their lives in the event of the accident,since then I have made
several enquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives,
this has also proved unsuccessful.

After these several Unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his
relatives over the Internet, to locate any member of His family but
of no avail, hence I contacted you. I contacted you to assist in
recovering the money left behind by my client before they get
Confiscated or
declared unserviceable by the Finance Company the bank where this huge
deposits were lodged. Particularly, the bank where the deceased had a
deposit valued US$10.5 million dollars Consequently,The bank issued me
a
notice to provide the Next Of Kin or have his deposit with them
confiscated within the next twenty official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 3
years now, I sincerely seek your consent to present you as the next
of kin of the deceased since you are a foreigner like him so that the
proceeds of this deposit valued at US$10.5 Million dollars can be
paid to you and then you and i can share the money accordingly. 45%
for you and 55% for me.We will procure all necessary legal documents
that can be used to back up the claim. All I require from you, is
your honesty and full co-operation 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.

Please get in touch with me by my email barprivate_net200@yahoo.com to
enable us discuss further and also forward your personal telephone
and fax numbers to me immediately.

Best regards,

>From Barrister George Harry {Esq.}


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam