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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
  (+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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "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.

Fraud email example:

From: Eugene Michael <eugenemichael81@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <eugenemichael@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2007 06:33:35 +0000
Subject: Personal Information



From : The Principal Attorney Michael & Co (Legal Practitioners) 11 Rue Du Boulevard Lome-Togo Dear Friend, I know that this mail will come to you as a surprise, please accept the content in good faith. I do not intend to cause any grief to you and your family. The reason for sending this mail is very fundamental to the doctrine of human privileges and right. I am Barrister Eugene Michael, a solicitor at law, personal attorney to a national of your country, and I used to work with his Company in Lome Togo. Here in after shall be referred to as my client. On the 25TH FEB 2004, my client, his wife and their only daughter were involved in a car accident along Nouvissi express Road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy here to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I have reasoned very professionally and I feel it will be legally proper to present you as the next of kin of my deceased client, so that you can be paid the funds left in his Finance Firm. I therefore seek your consent to present you as the Next of Kin to the deceased since you are of the same nationality with him, which the proceeds of this Finance Firm valued at $8.5M can be paid to you. We shall both share the funds 40% for you and 55% for me, while 5% should be for expenses or your Government may require taxes. The said Finance Firm has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have his account confiscated. I expect your urgent response indicating your full interest in this great business to our both mutual trust. Your telephone and fax number will be needed for further communication. Thanks, Barrister Eugene Michael. B, B.L, Michael & Co (Legal Practitioners). 11 Rue Du Boulevard Lome-Togo.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam