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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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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. )
  • "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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "lome togo" (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.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2280985952 (Togo, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Mathew Kukah <barr_mathewkukah16@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <barr_mathewkukah@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2007 09:59:12 +0000
Subject: Dear Piet



FROM: BARRISTER MATHEW KUKAHLEGAL PRACTITIONER & SOLICITOR, ADVOCATE OF THE SUPREME COURT, PLOT 25,INDEPENDENCE LAYOUT, LOME, TOGO. WEST AFRICA. TELEPHONE NO: +228-098-59-52OCTOBER 17, 2007. Dear Piet, Re: Regarding Late Mr. P.B.Piet I am Barrister Mathew Kukah, a barrister & solicitor at law. I was the Personal attorney to Mr. P.B.Piet, a national of your country, who used to own an oil servicing company in Lome Togo. My late client and his immediate family lost their lives in a plane crash in a village called Adjarra near Porto Novou after taken off from Cotonou in Benin Republic where they went for a Concert . I know that my client had no living kin but I went ahead and made several inquiries at your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives but this has proved unsuccessful. I only did so to be double sure of this fact. For more on the plane crash log on to; http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3348109.stm I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money left behind by my late client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged, where the deceased had an account valued at about $3.2 million dollars and the bank has issued me a notice that in the event that no next of kin comes up for the claim, the account will be confiscated after five years if not claimed. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at 3.2million dollars can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money equally. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. I look forward to your urgent response. Best regards, Barrister Mathew Kukah
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam