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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)
  • "a security company " (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. )
  • "million united state 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Edwin Atanga <edwinatanga19@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <edwin.atanga01@yahoo.es>
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:01:15 +0000
Subject: I need to Hear From You!!Get Back



Dear Friend

I must introduce myself to you am Edwin Atanga, 20 Years, male and the only surving son of Mr Bideme Atanga a Gold and Diamond merchant who with my mother, my two sister's and my Brother where killed by the wicked militant in Dafur Sudan. I was managed to escaped to Nigeria by the peace rescue Soldiers from Nigeria and currently am at the Refugee camp in Nigeria.

I want you to know that before the untimely death of my father he left a provision for his family by depositing the sum of $15 Million United State Dollars with a Security Company in Accra, Ghana where several of is Gold and Diamond Investment are built. At this moment you are the only person I have disclosed this to and will require you to maintain some strict level of confidentiality.

Considering my situation at this moment I really cannot proceed for the release of the Fund directly to me here in Nigeria because I consider it not to be Safe has the money with the Security Company is the only possession of my family and will be too huge for me to handle, as such I need you to assist me to receive these funds by acting as my Guardian in which you shall inturn be the Beneficiary to the fund. Presently all legal document to proof for the funds are currently in my possesion so the Release of the Fund to you shall be a smooth ride . As soon as you get the Fund I shall also want you to make arrangement for me to join you in your country so that I can start up a new life their.Please note that Trust is the watch word. Note that for your assistance I shall give you 30% of the total Fund

Looking forward to hearing from you soonest as regards my request.

Yours Faithfully

Edwin Atanga.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam