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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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:
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "lome togo" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: frances kwame <frances_kwame20066@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <franceskwame@yahoo.fr>
Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 12:18:20 +0000
Subject: Dear friend



Hello Dear,

I am Mr Frances Kwame,the director in charge of auditing and accounting section of a reputable bank here in Lome Togo West Africa.With due respect and regards.I have decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end of the transaction.
During our investigation and audting in this bank,my department came across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who was among the victims of the ill-fated plane crash involving a Boeing 727 UTA chartered flight that took off from Cotonou,Republic of Benin and crashed into the Atlantic ocean on Thursday 25 December 2003.And the fund has been dormant in his account with this bank without any claim of the fund in our custody either from his family or relation before our discovery to this development.

Although personally,I kept this information secret within myself and my partner to enable the whole plans and idea be profitable and successful during the time of execution.The said amount was USD$10,000.000.00(Fifteen million united states dorllars).As it may intrest you to know,I got your information from a website were i was searching for a trustworthy person who will help me and my colleague champion this transaction,meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put claim over this fund as the bonafide next of kin to the deceased,get the required approval and transfer this money to a foriegn account has been put in place and directives and needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your intrest and willingness to assist us and also benefit your self to this great business opportunity.

In fact I could have done this deal alone but because of my position in this country as a civil servant,we are not allowed to operate a foriegn account and would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the time of transfer because I work in this bank. This is the actual reason why it will require a second party or fellow who will forward claims as the next of kin with affidavit of trust of Oath to the bank and also present a foriegn account where he will need the money to be re-transfered into on his request as it may be after due verification and clarification by designated bank account.

I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free.On the smooth conclusion of this transaction,you will be entitiled to 25% of the total sum as gratification,5% will be set aside to take care of expenses that may arise during the time of transfer both local and internationalbills like telephone bills including the documents fees,while 70% will be kept on trust for me and my colleague.Please,you have been adviced to keep top secret as we are still in service and intend to retire from service after we conclude this deal with you.I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you confirm the money in your account.And ask us to come down to yourcountry for subsequent sharing of the fund according
to percentages previously indicated and further investment, either in your country or any country you advice us to invest in.
All other necessary information will be sent to you when I hear from you.I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible stating your wish in this deal.

Yours faithfully,Mr Frances Kwame.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam