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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:
  • "hundred thousand 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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Campbell Cole" <cd0929@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ccole451@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:14:36 +0100
Subject: Attention Needed


Hello,

I have written an earlier mail to you but no response. In my first mail I
mentioned to you about my late client who deposited some fund with a bank
here in UK before he died in April 2003. He bears the same surname with you.

Since his death I have received several letters from the Bank where he
deposited the fund before his death, to provide his next of kin or any of
his relatives who can make claim to the funds before the end of the year or
the bank will be left with no option than to confiscate the fund and return
it to the bank treasury as unclaimed fund.

As it has been marked unclaimed for 5 years. I have conducted my personal
search to see if I can make contact with any of his relatives but without
success, it is in the course of my effort that I have to contact you. I have
closely checked and since you bear the same surname with my deceased client
it will be better to present you as the next of kin and the right
beneficiary of the funds in the account.

The total sum left in the account is $10.5M (Ten Million and Five Hundred
Thousand United States Dollars) I will provide you with all the necessary
legal backing that is required until this money is paid out to you, and then
we shall share it base on our agreement.

Do respond quick if you are interested or should you need further
clarification because we have no much time left.

Thanks and God bless.

Campbell Cole
United Kingdom

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam