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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "a security company " (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. )
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million british pounds" (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)
  • "i feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • drfriedlos@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Nicholas Friedlos" <nich02@klikni.cz>
Date: Sat, 24 May 2008 10:20:33 -0700
Subject: Trusted Partner


*Dear Partner,

Compliment

This proposal might come to you as a surprise but believe me that it is
transparent business.

My name is Dr.Nicholas Friedlos, and I work in the delivery
department in a security company here in London. I feel quite safe dealing
with you in this important Business.I was on a routine inspection when I
discovered a deposit account with a Balance Of (TWELVE MILLION BRITISH
POUNDS).I later learn on further discreet investigation that the depositor
of the funds has passed away (dead) leaving no beneficiary to the deposit.

The company will deliver this money to anyone with legal claims because the
former depositor is a foreigner. I am certainly sure that nobody will come
again for the claim of this money.We claim this money with legal claims to
the deposit Holder, therefore I need your cooperation in this transaction. I
will provide all necessary information needed in order to claim this money,
Hoping in God that you will never let me down now and in future Late Rafik
Bahaa
Edine Hariri (November 1, 1944 - February 14, 2005), married to Nazek Audi
Hariri, was a Lebanese self-made billionaire and business tycoon, and was
five times Prime Minister of Lebanon (1992-1998 and 2000-2004) before his
last esignation from office on October 20, 2004. The late Rafik Hariri died
on February 14, 2005 when explosives equivalent to around 300 kg of C4 were
detonated as his motorcade drove past the Saint George Hotel in the Lebanese
capital, for more information please log on to
( http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4266587.stm
http://www.lebanonpanorama.com/pmhariri/rafik_hariri.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4263893.stm

WE WANT TO TRANSFER THIS MONEY INTO A SAFE FOREIGN ACCOUNT ABROAD BUT I
DON'T KNOW ANY FOREIGNER WHOM I CAN TRUST, I KNOW THAT THIS MESSAGE WILL
COME TO YOU AS A SURPRISE AS WE DON'T KNOW OURSELVES BEFORE, BUT BE SURE
THAT IT IS REAL AND A GENUINE BUSINESS.

I CONTACT YOU BELIEVING THAT YOU WILL NOT LET ME DOWN
ONCE THE FUND GOES YOU.

Let me hear from you URGENTLY by Email.

Best Regards
Dr.Nicholas Friedlos
E-mail: drfriedlos@aim.com*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam