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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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)
  • "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)
  • "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Sherif Adams" <sherifadams@me.by>
Reply-To: sherif_adams1@excite.com
Date: Sun, 25 May 2008 01:19:30 +0100
Subject: Friendly Regards


*Dear Friend,

Please permit me to introduce my humble self to you, I m Mr. Sherif Adams, I
am the Manager of Account and Auditting Department with Bank Of Africa,
Cotonuo, Benin Republic , I 'm a married man with two kids, and I got your
email address on my private search for a trust worthy person, And my
confidence reposed on you. I hope you read this message Carefully and reply
me immediately. Although we have not met before, but I Suggest that this
transaction will bring us together.My dear, we have a customer, a foreigner
but base here in Benin Republic, his Name is Mr. Hamilton Creek. He is from
Atlanta Georgia United State of America, but base here with his wife and his
two children, Mr. Hamilton Has being banking with our bank for the past
4yrs, some time August 2004, Mr. Hamilton was on his way to his house, and
unfortunately, Mr. Hamilton ran into aTrailer load of Groundnut Oil, and
died immediately, Their car got burnt, no single soul was saved, Mr.
Hamilton Creek and His entire family was confirmed died.

My Board Directors and Board Management of Bank Of Africa has mandated and
Instructed me to look for Mr. Hamilton Creek relation/relatives and his Next
of Kin to come and claim Mr. Hamilton's Fund, Since August 2005 Till date, I
have been looking for Mr. Hamilton Creek relation's and Relatives/Next of
Kin to come and claim Mr. Hamilton's Fund which he Deposited with our bank,I
have contacted his Embassy and after 3days, his Ambassador told me that Mr.
Hamilton Creek has no relation and no next of Kin, their Ambassador told me
that Mr. Hamilton used his first son as His next of kin, but it is quite
unfortunate that Mr. Hamilton Creek Died with all his family members. The
reason why I contacted you is thus, Mr. Hamilton is dead, and his Only son
whom supposed to inherit his properties and money also died With him.As at
this moment, nobody or person[s] is coming to claim this Money from our
bank. The board directors and management of our bank has Told me that if
nobody or person[s] apply for the claim of Mr Hamilton's Fund, the account
will be confiscated and the funds trown into the banks treasury box as an
unclaimed funds.

This transaction is very easy and simple, and it is 100% risk free, I'm the
Manager of Account and Auditting Department with Bank Of Africa,
Cotonuo, Benin Republic, and the Management and Board Directors of the Bank
are waiting for me to provide to them the Relation or next of Kin to late
Mr. Hamilton Creek, of which I told them that I am still searching the next
of kin to the deceased. Finally,I decided to contact you to front you To
the bank as the only next of kin to late Mr. Hamilton Creek, and I Will let
the bank know that you are the next of kin and I am prepared to place you in
a position to instruct The Bank to release the deposit to you as the closest
surviving relation.Upon your response to this mail.

I will Present you to my bank as the rightful person/next of kin to Late Mr.
Hamilton Creek, and all Mr. Hamilton Creek Properties and the deposited
amount worth US$22M Million Dollars will be transferred into Your Own
Account as Mr. Hamilton Creek next of kin., Just email me private and
secured

Feel free to ask any questions. the sharing rations shall be 50-50, you
will take 50% of the US$22M.

I will be waiting for your Immediate response,*

*Thanks and have a nice day.

Friendly Regards
Mr. Sherif Adams*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam