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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• 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 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)
  • "barrister" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "hatman abdullah" <abdullahatman@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2008 02:01:32 +0800
Subject: Thanks For Your Interest


Dear Friend,

I am Barrister Hatman Abdullah of Hatman & Associate, a legal practitioner,
an attorney of a deceased client,who died in 2001,I was contacted by his
bank in Malaysia ,regarding my client's deposit of US$5.7million dollars, to
the bank many years back, I was informed by the bank manager that no one has
come for the fund.And the decision of the bank to close the account and
confiscate the fund.

I had made several efforts to locate his next of kin, but none exist.
As the deceased Attorney,with many years of experience,I choose to contact
you because you both shared the same last name.

I would like to seek your consent to present you as the beneficiary of this
fund, so that the proceeds will be paid to you, and then we have it to
ourselves. if you agree with this offer, I will provide all the necessary
documents of my late client and make all legal representations so as to
ensure full legal and regulatory compliance. It is my firm believe that
this transaction will be credible,legal, and profitable.
Further details will be giving as soon as I hear from you.

Yours Sincerely,
Barrister Hatman Abdullah Esq.
Attorney at Law

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam