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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:
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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:
  • "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. )
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "chambers" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: obi emma1920 <obiemma1920@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <obiemma113@yahoo.fr>
Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:16:08 +0100
Subject: Dear Kassing,



EMMANUEL & CO. CHAMBERSATTORNEY AT LAW,BARRISTER&SOLICITORHEAD OFFICE: 7 FREE LAND APAPA TOWN LAGOS NIGERIA

Dear Kassing,
I must solicit your trust and strict confidence in this business. I know this letter will come to you as a surprise since you do not know me in person bear with me. I entreat you to take the will for the deed. i came in contact with your email address in our careful search. this is by the nature of top-secret information I am about to divulge to you. I am Barrister Emmanuel Obi the Personal attorney to Engr. james Kassing, national of your country, who used to work with African Petroluem Here in after shall be referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2003, my client, his wife and their three children were involved in a car accident along Trans Amadi Highway. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful.
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last nameover the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit were lodged.
Particularly, The bank where the deceased had an account valued at $12.5 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated.Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 3years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name so that the proceeds
of this account valued at $12.5million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money. 60% to me and 40%, the reasons why I am having a high share of the percentage is due to the fact that I am the originator and above all I will do all the coordination to ensure success and a hitch free transaction.
I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up anyclaim we may make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing 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 through my email with the following information:

Your telephone number:
Your full name:
Address:
Occupation:

To enable us discuss further about this transaction.
I await your Urgent Reply.
Best regards,
Barrister Emmanuel Obi

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam