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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
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• 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:

• 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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • markwestesq@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "west mark" <markwestesq@mailbox.hu>
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2008 07:19:55 -0700
Subject: BUSINESS LETTER FOR YOU.


Radcliffe Chambers
11 New Square
Lincoln's Inn
London WC2A 3QB
DX: 319 London
Website : radcliffechambers.com
Private email: markwestesq@yahoo.com

ATTENTION:

Before I start,I must first Apologies for this unsolicited mail to you.I am
aware that this is certainly an unconventional approach to starting a
relationship but as time goes on you will realize the need for my action.

I am Barrister MARK WEST OF RADCLIFFE CHAMBERS LONDON .I am a Legal
representative to a private account owner Late Mr. Edward Burson, This mail
is written and intended to solicit your assistance to be presented as NEXT
OF KIN to my Late Client.

My Deceased Client Edward Burson, He made a fixed Deposit of Funds valued at
£30,500,000 GBP ( Thirty million Five hundred thousand British Pounds
Sterling ) with a Bank here in the United Kingdom .Unfortunately lost his
life after a brief illness, which and left no clear beneficiary as Next of
Kin except some vital documents related to the Deposit still with me. All
efforts by me to trace his Next of Kin proved abortive because he did not
make any will prior to his death.

The Governing Body of the BANK where the fund was deposited has contacted me
on this matter and I am yet to provide the Next of Kin to lay claims to the
Fund. Under a clear and legitimate agreement with you,I shall seek your
consent to be presented as the next of Kin so that my late client's fund
will not be confiscated by the bank after a long period of time .

I propose a sharing formula of 50% for me while 40 for you if you will agree
to stand in as the next of kin and have the funds deposited into any account
that you will provide to the bank during the process of claim. I will
explain on my next email what the 10% balance would go for.

If you are interested in this proposition and you are ready to keep this
proposition in absolute confidentiality and trust, then contact me at once,
and we can work out the details.

Await your quick response.

Mark West.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam