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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "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)
  • "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: "macduff madiba" <macduff.madiba05@gmail.com>
Reply-To: barrmacduff_madiba11@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:36:56 +0000
Subject: Read And Respond Urgently


Dear friend,

My name is Barrister.Macduff Madiba, I received a letter from a bank here
requesting for the next of kin to my deceased client.

The Letter stated that he made fixed deposit of Five million united states
dollars (5.000.000.00) last three years before his death. The bank is aware
of his death, though he was not married, but did not leave a "WILL" nor
Specified next of kin, the bank is anticipating someone with prove to come
along for claims. As it is, no one can put up claims except someone with
authority referred from my office.

All efforts to get his family relatives have been abortive. I solicit that
you allow me introduce you as his relative since I can not get his real
family relative/next of kin. He was aged 56. He lived and worked here as a
foreigner.

Kindly let me know if you are interested so that I can give you further
details and certain other modalities to enable you contact the bank for
release of the funds to you.
I have spoken with the bank manager on this matter extensively and he is
waiting for introduction to the bank according to his directives.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you and i from any breach of the law and will brief you on the
details upon your response.

Be this as it may,in your response kindly forward:

1.Your Full Names
2.Your Telephone number for easy and official conversation.
3. Your age as well as your occupation
4. Current contact address.

Thanks,
Macduff Madiba.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam