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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • barrhstephens@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: harry stephen <hay_stephen10@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 12:36:52 -0800 (PST)
Subject: NEXT OF KIN


Dear Sir/Madam,

I have just be informed that you bear the same lastname as my client Mr. David who passed away recently.

My late client indicated your name as the next of kin and for two years now, l have been trying to locate anyone with the same last name, hence my contacting you.

Do get in touch with me immediately for further information, should you be the one.

You can reachme via my alternative email address barrhstephens@yahoo.com

Regards
Barrister Harry Stephen



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam