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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
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • mrjohncole@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "John Cole" <john.cole4@btconnect.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2007 12:57:15 +0100
Subject: URGENT REPLY NEEDED

Dear Friend,

This is my second letter to you, my name is Mr. John Cole, I received a letter from a bank here requesting for the next of kin to my deceased client. The Letter stated that he made fixed deposit of some amount of money last two years before his death. The bank is aware of his death, though he was not married, neither did he leave a "WILL" nor Specified next of kin, the bank is anticipating someone with the same surname to come along for claims. As it is, no one can put up claims except someone with the same surname and referred from my office.

All efforts to get his family relatives have been abortive. I solicit that you allow me introduce you as his relative based on the fact that you have the same surname. He was aged 56. He lived and worked here as a foreigner and requested to be buried here.

Kindly let me know if you are interested so that I can give you further details and certain other documents to enable you contact the bank for release of the funds to you. I have spoken with the bank manager on this matter extensively and he is waiting for your introduction to the bank
according to his directives.

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 and will brief you on the details upon your response. Furthermore, in your response include

1; Your telephone number for easy and official conversation.
2; Your age
3; mailing address
4; sex as well as your occupation

Please if you are interested in this REPLY ONLY TO THIS EMAIL ADDRESS {mrjohncole@hotmail.com <mailto:mrjohncole@hotmail.com> }

Thanks and God Bless You.
Mr. Mr. John Cole
mrjohncole@hotmail.com <mailto:mrjohncole@hotmail.com>

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam