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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "keep it confidential" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • africa.franksjame_private@yahoo.com.hk
  • jamesfranksjame_private@yahoo.com.hk

Fraud email example:

From: frank james <franks.j39@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <franksjame_private@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2007 07:44:52 +0200
Subject: EMAIL ME!!!!!!!!!!!



MR.FRANK JAMESDEPARTMENT OF MINERALS AND ENERGY,PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA.franksjame_private@yahoo.com.hk ATTN: SIR / MADAM CONFIDENTIAL & URGENT

It is my great pleasure to write you this letter on behalf of my colleagues. Your information was given to me by a member of the South African Export Promotion Council (SAEPC) who was with the Government delegation on a trip to your country for a bilateral conference talk to encourage foreign investors.
I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in the execution of the deal hereunder for the benefit of all parties and hope you will keep it confidential because of the nature of this business. Within the Department of Minerals & Energy where I work as a Director of Audit and Project Implementation and with the co-operation of two other top officials, we have in our possession an overdue payment in US funds.
The said funds represent certain percentage of the total contract value executed on behalf of my Department by a foreign contracting firm, which we the officials over-invoiced to the amount of US$26.500,000.00 (Twenty-Six Million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars).
Though the actual contract cost has been paid to the original contractor, leaving the excess balance unclaimed. Since the present elected Government is determined to pay foreign contractors all debts owed, so as to maintain good relationship with foreign governments and non-government agencies, we included our bills for approvals with the Department of Finance and the South Africa Reserve Bank (SARB).
We are seeking your assistance to front as beneficiary of the unclaimed funds, since we are not allowed to operate foreign accounts. Details and change of beneficiary information upon application for claim to reflect payment and approvals will be secured on behalf of you/your Company.
I have the authority of my partners involved to propose that should you be willing to assist us in this transaction your share as compensation will be US$6.625m (25%), while my colleagues and I receive US$17.225m (65%) and the balance of US$2.650m (10%) for taxation and miscellaneous expenses incurred. The business is completely safe and secure, provided you treat it with utmost confidentiality. It does not matter whether you/your Company does contract projects, as a transfer of powers will be secured in favour of you/your Company. Also, your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the successful execution of this transaction.
I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint us. Thanks for your co-operation.Regards,MR.FRANK JAMESfranksjame_private@yahoo.com.hk
N.B Please email your confidential Telephone and Fax number to enable me contact you for further clarifications.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam