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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:
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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:
  • "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. )
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "@lawyer.com" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• 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.
  • barr_solicitor@lawyer.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dan Johnson" <danjohnrr@klikni.cz>
Date: Sun, 18 May 2008 09:31:09 -0800
Subject: 18-5-2008


18-5-2008,am Barr.Dan Johnson, solicitor and notary public, the personal
attorney to Mr. Mark David ,a national of your country. On the 21st
of April 2004, my client, his wife and their only son were involved
in a car accident along Accra / Kumasi express road. Unfortunately
they all lost their lives in the event of the accident, since then i
have made several enquiries to locate any of my clients extended
relatives and this has also proved unsuccessful.After these several
unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the
Internet, to locate any member of his family but of no avail, hence I
contacted you.

I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left
behind before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the
security where my client lodge these huge deposits (US$7.5million)
U.S dollars. Particularly, Since I have been unsuccessful in locating
the relatives for over some years now, I seek your consent to present
you as the next of kin of the deceased, We will share fortune thus
50% for me and 45% to you, while 5% should be for expenses or tax as
your government may require. I have all necessary legal documents
that can be used to backup the claim. All I require is your honest
cooperation to enable us see this deal through. Please Contact me
through this email address: barr_solicitor@lawyer.com

Regards,

Dan

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam