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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • ",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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • mariamyeputa@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mariam Yeputa" <mariamyeputa1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mariamyep@yahoo.fr
Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:10:39 -0700
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANT NEEDED.


Dear Friend,

I am Mrs. Mariam Obruth Yeputa, an Ivorian widow with an only son ( Frank
Obruth Yeputa ). My husband was the chief security officer to the ousted
president Bede of Cot d'Ivoire. During the overthrown of 24th December 1999,
my husband was among the people was killed by the military. Since after his
death. I ran away with my only son. Sir, may I introduce this business
proposal to you. With reference to an introduction and good ecommendation
made of you and your esteemed firm by my close friend, I do hereby wish to
ask for your assistance in an urgent business transaction that requires
absolute honesty and secrecy.

Although I did not in any way disclose to my friend the details of this my
proposal due to confidential nature of this transaction. By virtue of my
husband 's position, the former president (Bede) gave him $20,500,000.00
(Twenty million five hundred thousand U.S. dollars) cash in $100.00 bills
stacked in a box when he got the information that the military are planning
to overthrow him. Immediately my husband was confirmed dead, I made away
with this box with my only son so that we cannot be reached by Mr. Bede. I
have really been waiting for a more suitable time and opportunity to contact
you concerning this transaction. Right now, the money is in a safe place. I
deposited it with a diplomatic company for safekeeping in Asia.

I am using this opportunity to seek your assistance to move the money to
your country to be invested on behalf of my only son. For your assistance, I
am ready to offer you 30% of the total sum and give you the full power to
manage the remaining 70% on behalf of my son. where we are currently staying
in a sister's house in South Africa. I Deposited it somewhere which we shall
inform you as soon as you conclude arrangements. Upon conclusion of
arrangement, we shall forward to you the certificate of deposit and the
phone and Fax number of the Diplomatic Company for confirmation.

However, send your message to my Email (mariamyeputa@yahoo.fr) which I will
forward it to my son immediately. Please I want us to finish this business
as quickly as possible. And please indicate your private phone and fax
Numbers on your response to this mail. Thanking you in anticipation of your
kind consideration and urgent reply.

Yours faithfully
MRS. MARIAM OBRUTH YEPUTA.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam