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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • ",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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +22504017159 (Cote d'Ivoire, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "BARRISTER ERASMUS DEMBE (ESQ)" <erasmusdembe2008@yahoo.fr> (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 21:04:41 +0000
Subject: BEQUEST

FROM: BARRISTER ERASMUS DEMBE (ESQ)
RUE DU PRINCESS
ABJ 02 BP 52
ABIDJAN-COTE D'IVOIRE
TEL:+225-04-01-71-59
DEAREST ONE ,

This is sequel to your non response of our earlier letter to you on behalf of the Trustees and Executors to the Will of late of Sir Engr. John Chapple, I wish to notify you that you were listed as a beneficiary to bequest of the sum of US$4,500,000.00 in the codicil and last testament of the deceased.

The late Sir John Chapple until his death was a former Managing Director and pioneer staff of a big construction company here in Abidjan-Cote D'Ivoire. He was a very dedicated Christian, and a great philanthropist during his life time.

Late Sir John Chapple died on 9th February 2003 at the age of 70,He was buried on the 23rd of February.

Late Sir John Chapple even though he was an American living and working in here as a foreigner he requested before his death that he be buried here in his words, "I regard here as My home and the people as my people".

He said that this token is to support your ministry and help to the less- privelegded. I hereby request that you forward any proof of identities of yours, your current telephone and fax numbers and your forwarding address to enable us file necessary documents at our high court probate division for the release of this bequest of money.

congratulations.
Yours faithfully,
BARRISTER ERASMUS DEMBE (ESQ)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam