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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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "attorneys " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "JOHN KOFFI" <jhnkoffi6666@gmail.com>
Reply-To: jj_koffi4u@yahoo.co.in
Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 12:35:11 +0100
Subject: GOODDAY


GOODDAY,

I Am Dr Johnson Adams bank manager of International Commercial Bank Accra
Ghana I got your contact through United Nation office bank information's
center in Accra, that is why I have call you. I have urgent and very
confidential business proposition for you. On June 6 2003; an American oil
consultant/contractor with the government of Ghana republic.Mr.Smith Lee
made a numbered time (fixed) deposited for twelve calendar months, valued at
US$45,000,000.00 in my branch.

Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but
got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered
from his contract employers, that Mr. Smith Lee died from an automobile
accident. on further investigation, I found out that he did not leave a WILL
and all attempted to trace his next of kin were fruitless therefore we made
further investigation and discovered that Mr. Smith Lee did not declare any
next of kin in all his official documents , including his bank deposit
paperwork .

This sum of $45, 000, 000, 00.is still lying in the bank and the interest is
being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year if no one
will come forward to claim it according to laws of the Republic, at the
expiration of 7(SEVEN) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the
government if nobody applies to claim the funds. consequently, my proposal
is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin to Mr.
smith Norman so that the fruits of this old man labor will not get into the
hands of some corrupt officials.

This is simple,I will like you to provide me immediately with your full
names and addresses so that the attorney will prepare the necessary
documents and affidavits, which will put you in place as the next of kin.
Will shall employ the services of two attorneys for drafting and
notarization of the WILL and obtain the necessary document and letter of
probate administration in your favor for the transfer. A bank account in any
part of the world,

Which you will provide, will then facilitate to transfer of this money to
you as the beneficiary, or next of kin .the money will be paid into your
account for us to share in the ratio of 70% percentage for me and 30%
percentage for you. There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this
transaction will be done by the attorney and my position as the branch
manager guarantees the successful execution of this transaction. If you are
interested, please reply immediately via private email address below.

Upon your response,I shall then provide you with more details and relevant
documents that will help you understand. Please observe utmost
confidentiality, and rest assured that you will not spend your personal
money in this transaction, and I hope this would be of most profitable for
both of us because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in
your country.

Awaiting your urgent reply to my email

Best Regards
Dr Johnson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam