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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447624172620
• 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.
  • david.spicer44@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Spicer David" <david_spicer613@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: david-spicer01@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 18 May 2008 12:00:40 -0700
Subject: Partner with me, it's urgent


Partner with me, it's urgent
From David Spicer
Imperial Finance House Limited
United-Kingdom
Tel: +447624172620
E-mail: david.spicer44@hotmail.com

Dear Friend,

I am Mr. David Spicer, the Auditor General, Imperial Finance House Limited,
London United-Kingdom . In the course of my auditing, I discovered a
floating fund in an account, which was opened in 1990 belonging to a dead
foreigner who died in 1999. Every effort made to track any member of his
family or next of kin has since failed; hence I got in contact with you to
stand as his next of kin since you bear the same last name with him. He died
leaving no heir or a will.

My intention is to transfer this sum of US$15.5Million Dollars in the
aforementioned account to a safe account overseas. I am therefore proposing
that you quietly partner with me and provide an account or set up a new one
that will serve the purpose of receiving this fund. For your assistance in
this venture, I am ready to part with a good percentage of the entire funds.
After going through the deceased person's records and files, I discovered
that:
(1) No one has operated this account since 1999
(2) He died without an heir or WILL; hence the money has been floating.
(3) No other person knows about this account and there was no known
beneficiary.

If I do not remit this money urgently, it would be forfeited and
subsequently converted to company's funds, which will benefit only the
directors of my firm. This money can be approved to you legally as with all
the necessary documentary approvals in your name. However, you would be
required to show some proof of claim, which I will provide you with and also
guide you on how to make your applications.

Please reply to my private email address: david.spicer44@hotmail.com so that
I can send you detailed information on the modalities of my proposition. I
completely trust you to keep this proposition absolutely confidential, if
you are interested to work with me kindly forward your First and Last Name,
telephone and fax numbers to my private email: david.spicer44@hotmail.com so
I can reach you easily. I look forward to your prompt response.

Best Regards,
Mr. David Spicer
Auditor General
Imperial Finance House Ltd
United-Kingdom

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam