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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:

• 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)
  • "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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "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)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: MR FRANCIS ANNAN <info_francisannan9@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: dt9114000@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:26:12 -0800 (PST)
Subject: PLEASE ADVISE ME (MR FRANCIS ANNAN)


>From Mr. Francis Annan

Greetings to you,

This letter must come to you as a big surprise, but I
believe it is only a day that people meet and become
great friends/ business partners. I am Francis Annan,
current Head of Corporate Affairs Department with a
reputable bank here in Ghana. I write you this
proposal in good faith, believing that I can trust you
with the information I am about to reveal to you.
I have an urgent and very confidential business
proposition for you. On June 5th, 2000, a German
business tycoon Mr. Andreas Schranner made a (Fixed
deposit) for 60 calendar months, valued at
US$12,500,000.00 (Twelve Million Five hundred Thousand
United States Dollars only) in my bank and I happen to be his
account officer before I was moved to my present
position recently. The maturity date for this deposit
contract was last 3rd of April 2005. Before this date,
I have tried my possible best to locate a Next of Kin
to late Mr. Schranner, but all efforts proved
abortive, because all his family, including his Son
In-Law and children died in the plane crash of
Concorde Air France Flight AF4590 which took place on
25th July 2000, some months after he did the deposit
in my bank. You can read more story about the plane
crash by visiting this website;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/859479.stm
With the recent change of government in my country and
with their efforts to support the United Nations in
checkmating terrorism aid in Ghana. By end of April
this year, the Government will pass a new Financial
Control Law which will give the Government authority
to interrogate account owners of above $5 million
Dollars to explain the source of the funds, making
sure it is not for terrorism support. If I do not move
this money out of the country immediately, by April
the Government will definitely confiscate the money,
because my bank cannot provide the account owner to
explain the source of the money since he is late.
I decided to utilize this life time opportunity,
instead of Government confiscating the fund,
but I cannot directly claim the money without the help of a
foreigner and that is why I am contacting you for an
assistance. As the Account Officer to late Mr.
Schranner, coupled with my present position and status
in the bank, I have the power to influence the release
of the funds to any foreigner that comes up as the
Next of Kin to the account, with the correct
information concerning the account, which I shall give
you. I am having the secret Code for the account,
which only the account owner or his Next of Kin can
know. I shall supply all necessary information we need
for the claim and there is practically no risk
involved, the transaction will be executed under a
legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any
breach of law, beside Ghana is porous and anything
goes.
If you accept to work with me, I want you to state how
you wish us to share the funds in percentage, so that
both parties will be satisfied. I shall explain to you
in details how we shall handle the transaction once I
receive your response. Thanking you in advance and may
God bless you. Please, treat with utmost confidentiality.
I shall send you copy of the deposit slip issued to
Mr. Schranner when the deposit was made for your perusal.

I wait your urgent response.

Regards,

Francis Annan.






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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam