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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
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• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million british pounds" (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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: francis <fran_200501@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: fran_20011@myway.com
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:30:32 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: RESAP


Dear,

Do accept my sincere apologies if my mail does not meet your personal ethics. I introduce myself as Francis a former staff in the accounts management Section of a well-known bank here UK.

One account in our bank with holding balance of £15,000,000 (Fifteen Million British Pounds) has been dormant and last operated in the past 5 years. From my investigations and confirmations, the owner of this account is a Foreigner by name Gerald Stone died on the 4th of January 2002 on fatal Motor accident.

Since then nobody has done anything as regards the claiming of this money as he has no family Member who is aware of the existence of neither the account nor the funds. Information from the National Immigration also states that he was single on entry into UK.

I have confidentially discussed this issue with some of the bank officials and we have agreed to find a reliable foreign partner to deal with. We thus propose to do business with you, standing in as the next of kin to the deceased and have the funds released to you after due processes have been followed.

This transaction is totally free of risk and troubles as the fund is Legitimate and does not originate from drug, money laundry, terrorism or any other Illegal act.

On your interest let me hear from you.

Regards,
Francis
Dear friend

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam