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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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:
  • "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)
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: michael joseph <michaeljo09@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <meekeejay@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 19:00:43 +0000
Subject: From Michael Joseph(banker)




Hi,

I am MICHAEL JOSEPH, Accounts staff at the BANK OF AFRICA (BOA) Ouagadougou Branch Burkina Faso.This is to inquire of you to handle this transaction for mutual benefits and opportunity for both of us.



The transaction is about seeking your consent to present you as the next of kin/ beneficiary of US$15 million dollars,belonging to a deceased who was a customer to this bank. He died along with his family during their vacation journey.The Fund is currently in his dormant account awaiting claim.

The bank is ready to release this fund to any of his relatives or next of kin. In that regard, i have decided to seek your consent for this prospective opportunity.

Kindly note that this transaction does not involve any risk.Necessary modalities will be worked out to enable us carry out the fund claim under legitimate arrangements. I have resolved to offer you 30% of the fund, 10% for sundry expenses that maybe incurred during the process of executing this transaction and 60% for me.


I will give you more details when I receive your affirmative response.




Thanks and God bless.


MICHAEL JOSEPH.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam