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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
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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:
  • "please indicate your willingness" (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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Wilson Bati" <wilson.bati7@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 23:52:05 +0100
Subject: Collaboration


Attn: Sir/ Madam,

This message might meet you in utmost surprise. However, it all just my
urgent need for a foreign partner that made me to contact you for this
transaction. I got your contact from tourist search while I was searching
for a foreign partner. I assured of your capability and reliability to
champion this business opportunity when i prayed to God or Allah about you.

I am a banker by profession in AFRICA and currently holding the post
of an external
auditor of the bank. I have the opportunity of transferring the left over
funds (8.2Million Dollars) of one of my bank clients who died along with his
entire family on the 6th of January 2004 in a plane crash.

Hence; I am inviting you for a business deal where this money can be shared
between us in the ratio of 65/30 while 5% is for contingencies if you agree
to my business proposal. Further details of the transfer will be forwarded
to you as soon as i receive your return mail immediately you receive this
letter.

Please indicate your willingness by sending the below information for more
clarification and easy communication.

(1) YOUR FULL NAME
(2) YOUR CONTACT ADDRESSES
(3) YOUR TEL AND FAX NUMBER

Looking forward to hear from you.

Thanks & Best Regards,

Wilson Bati

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam