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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.

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:
  • "million 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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: William Ajja <william_ajja1003@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2008 07:36:27 -0800 (PST)
Subject: FROM WILLIAM.


Dear Sir,

I have a client who would like to invest in your country, and am currently seeking for a reliable person to assist in facilitating the project, so this prompts me to contact you for possible interest.

The total amount in question is US$19 Million (Nineteen Million United States Dollars), and it is presently deposited in a security bank's vault. So my client, being a known political figure in Liberia, handed me this project and warned that he would want his name to remain a top secret.

Subsequently, you are to assist in the following areas:
(1)Assist in investing of the said Amount
(2)Advise on lucrative areas of Investment
(3)Assist also in purchase of Properties.

If the proposal interest you, please email, so that we can arrange how to move the fund to your country.

For your effort and support in the transaction, we have agreed to offer you 15% of total sum of the fund (US$19Million) as your interest.

I am waiting for your urgent response. Please reply.

Thank you.

GRATEFULLY TREAT AS URGENT.

Mr.William Ajja.
Financial Adviser.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam