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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:
  • "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a orphan scam.
• 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.
  • miss.merokalou@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "mero kalou" <mero.kalou4@gmail.com>
Reply-To: miss.merokalou@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 02:23:38 -0700
Subject: Can I completely trust you?


DEAREST ONE,


With due respect, trust and humanity.

I have a proposal for you-this however is not mandatory nor will I in
any manner compel you to honour against your will.


I am Mero kalou 21years old and the only daughter of my late parents Mr.and
Mrs kalou. My father was a highly reputable busnness magnet-(a cocoa
merchant)who operated in Benin during his days.

It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of
his business trips abroad year 19th.Febuary 2007.Though his sudden death was
linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his who
travelled with him at that time.

But God knows the truth, My mother died when I was just 5 years old,and
since then my father took me so special.

Before his death on Febuary 19 2007 he called the secretary who accompanied
him to the hospital and told him that he has the sum of ten million,seven
hundred thousand United State Dollars.(USD$10.700,000) left in fixed deposit
account in one of the leading banks in Africa.

He further told him that he deposited the money in my name,and finally
issued a written instruction to his lawyer whom he said is in possession of
all the necessary but legal documents to this fund and the bank.


I am just 21 years old and a university undergraduate and really don't know
what to do.Now I want an account overseas where I can transfer this funds.
This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant
political crisis here in Benin.The death of my father actually brought
sorrow to my life.

Please, I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this
regards.Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded.

Now permit me to ask these few questions:-

1. Can you honestly help me as your daughter?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you
after the money is in your account?

Please,Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible.

Thank you so much.

best regards,

Miss Mero kalou
*

List your phone & fax Numbers to my private email box: **
miss.merokalou@gmail.com* <miss.merokalou@gmail.com>

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam