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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "kins oke" <kinsokea@ig.com.br>
Date: Sun, 18 May 2008 15:38:35 +0200
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETERY


Compliment of the season My Dear Friend,

I am glad to inform you that I have successfully concluded the
transaction,the money has been transferred to Mexico . It is done through
the assistant of an investor Mr Luz Masolini who is a London base business
man. Currently I am in South Korea with him , my wife and children for
business project.

In appreciate of your assistance I have mapped out as a compensation and
wrote on your favor a Draft worth of US$1,500,000.00. (One Million,Five
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) I left the Draft with my
secretary Mr Frank Benzi on my departure . I would like you therefore,to
contact him on the below info so that he can mail/transfer it to you.

Name: Mr Frank Liberty.
Email: frankliberty007yahoo.fr

However,I did not forget you because you are the source of my success, you
made me what I am now though you are not there to complete this project with
me but I gave all the credit and thanks to you. I know it is not your fault
or rather your wish to back up on me and the transaction,I understand it is
simply because of what you must have heard about my continent and her
business opportunities. Actually there are still good ones for example
myself.

Regards,
Mr Kins Oke

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam