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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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:

• 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)
  • "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. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• 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.
  • advocate_patjoop2008@yahoo.de (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "ADVOCATE PATRICK" <advocate_patjoop2007@yahoo.de>
Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:38:24 +1000
Subject: DEAR FRIEND YOUR UNGENT ATTENTION IS NEEDED

Dear Friend

Greetings and compliments.

I am Patrick Joop , a solicitor at law. I was the personal attorney to Eng.
Gilbert M. Reain, a national of your country who used to work with an oil
servicing company here in the Netherlands thereof be referred to as my
client.

Eng. Gilbert M. Reain, 62 years of age made a fixed deposit of fund valued
at USD$12,500,000 (Twelve Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars
Only) with a Finance Company here in Europe and unfortunately lost his life
in an Egyptian charter plane Boeing 737 which crashed into the Red Sea early
on January 3 shortly after taking off from the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh,
killing all the 135 passengers and 13 crew members aboard, Ref: (View:
http://english.people.com.cn/200401/04/eng20040104_131791.shtml).

He left no clear beneficiary as Next of Kin except some vital documents
related to the deposit still in my possession.

Recently, the governing body of the Finance Company contacted me on this
matter, requesting that I should notify the next of kin of my late client to
claim the funds and I am yet to provide the Next of Kin to lay claims to the
Fund. I know that my client had no living next of kin but I went ahead and
made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my late client's
extended relatives but this has proved unsuccessful. Under a clear and
legitimate agreement with you, I seek your consent to present you as the
next of kin, so that my late client's fund will not be confiscated by the
Finance Company.

You and I can share the money, you will be entitled to 40% of the total
fund for your role as the relative and next of kin of my late client, 50%
for me while 10% is to be marked out for any expenses that will be incurred
during the clearance or process of transfer of the fund to your bank
account. Be informed that there is no risk involved as all necessary legal
documents that will be used to back you up as the legal beneficiary and next
of kin of my late client will be procured.

All I require is your sincerity, honesty, co-operation and utmost good
faith 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. Kindly, get in touch with me by my e-mail
(advocate_patjoop2008@yahoo.de) . You may also send your telephone number so
that I can call you.

Do not forget that a transaction of this magnitude requires utmost
confidentiality and sincerity. I look forward to your quick ungent
response.


Kind Regards
Patrick Joop

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam