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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "lome togo" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +2289248259 (Togo, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "barryotto Gazeta.pl" <barryotto@gazeta.pl>
Date: Fri, 30 May 2008 12:27:27 +0200
Subject: Re- Very Urgent.


From Mr. Barry Otto,
Lome Togo
+228-924-8259.

Dear Friend,

My name is Mr. Barry Otto, a personal attorney to Mr. Thomas Rothman, who
worked with a Development Company in my Country.

My client left behind US$10 Million only in a bank before he died in a fatal
automobile accident with his family in the year 2003. The said bank has
issued me a notice to come forward for the claim or have his account
confiscated within the next twenty-one official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating any relatives of my client, I
would like you to stand as the next of kin since you have the same
nationality with him, so that the bank can release the fund to your account.

Therefore, on receipt of your positive response, we shall discuss on the
sharing ratio and modalities for transfer. I have all necessary information
needed to back up this claim and I guarantee that this will be executed
under legitimate arrangement that will protect both of us from any breach of
the law.

Do get in touch with me through email and on my private telephone number
below.

Best regards.
Mr. Barry Otto.
+228-9248259.
Lome-Togo.
Africa.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam