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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:
  • "million pounds" (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: Robert Schock <schock_2010@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:25:17 -0500
Subject: {Spam!}

Attn:

I am Mr. Robert Schock, I work with the Chartered National Bank as an account
officer in the Treasury/Credit Control Unit. I was the accounting officer of a
national of your country, who died with his wife and their only son, after they
were involved in a car accident.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over
the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you. I have
contacted you to assist in repatriating the assets and Capital valued at
24,540,000.000 Million Pounds left behind by my client before they get confiscated
or declared unserviceable by the share holders of this Bank, so that they can share
his funds as dividends amongst themselves.

The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account
confiscated within the next fourteen official working days. Because as at the time
of his demise I was his accounting officer, but have since been promoted to the
position of Treasury/Credit Control Unit, ever since I have been unsuccessful in
locating the relatives for sometime now, I seek your consent to present you as the
next of kin to the deceased since you have the same last names, so that the
proceeds of this account can be paid to you. Therefore, on receipt of your positive
response, we shall then discuss modalities for transfer.

As soon as I recieve an acknowledgement of your acceptance, I will furnish you with
the necessary modalities of the transaction. I assure you that this transcaction is
100% risk free, and as soon as we succeed in getting this funds to your account,
The money will be shared on a 50, 50 basis............... I guarantee that this
will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any
breach of the law.

I am waiting to hear from you soon.

Best regards,

Robert Schock.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam