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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)
  • "million united states 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)
  • "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)
  • "there are practically no risks involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "enochsika16 Gazeta.pl" <enochsika16@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: enoch251sika1@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:22:44 +0100
Subject: INVESTMENT PROPOSAL


*From The Office Of, Mr. Enoch Sika,
The Regional Branch Manager,
The Trust Bank Ghana Limited(TTB),
Madina-Ghana West Africa.
*


*

Dear Friend, *

*I humbly introduce my self to you as, Mr. Enoch Sika. I am the Regional
Branch Manager of The Trust Bank Ghana Limited(TTB), Madina Branch Ghana
West Africa. *

*I write you this proposal in good faith; I am married with four (4) lovely
children. I am a man of peace, and have sincere respect for human feelings
and opinions. I have packaged a financial transaction that will benefit you
and me. *

*As the Regional Branch Manager of The Trust Bank Ghana Limited(TTB), Madina
Branch, Ghana it is my duty to send in a financial report to my head office
in the capital city, Accra at the end of each business year.*

*On the course of last two years, 2006 business report, I discovered that
the branch in which I am the Manager made US$10.2 million United States
Dollars ($10,200,000.00) which my head office is not aware of and will never
be aware of. I have placed this funds on what we call Escrow call deposit
with no beneficiary. As an officer of this bank I cannot be directly
connected to this money, so my aim of contacting you is to assist me receive
this money in your bank account and get 30% of the total funds as your
commission.*

*There are practically no risks involved, the transaction will be executed
under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the
law, it will be simply a bank-to-bank transfer, and all I need from you is
to stand claim as the original depositor of these funds who made the deposit
with my branch so that my head office can order the transfer to your
designated bank account under few working days. If you accept to work with
me I will appreciate it very much as you are the first and the only person I
am contacting for this transaction.*

*Send me an email as soon as you receive this message, if you think so that
we can go over the details.
Thank you in advance and May God bless you and your family. *

*Sincerely,
Mr. Enoch Sika*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam