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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
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• 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)
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • james100peter@yahoo.com.au (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: JAMES PETER <zm920tklxs@testzimbra.com>
Reply-To: "james100peter@yahoo.com.au" <james100peter@yahoo.com.au>
Date: Sat, 20 Sep 2008 07:45:43 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Get back to me urgently


Dear Friend,
E-Mail:james100peter@yahoo.com.au
I am Barrister James Peter a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Late .Mr. Kenneth Hughson, who bears the same last name with you a national of your country, who used to work with Dezengof-development Company

Here in after shall be referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2001, my client, his wife and their three children were involved in a car accident along sagamu express road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.

I am contacting you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit were lodged. Particularly, the finance company where the deceased had an account valued at about 11.5 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated.
1.Full names:_____________________
2.Home Address:___________________
3.Sex:____________________________
4.Age:__________________________

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the nrelatives for over years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name, so that the proceeds of this account valued at 11.5 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me by my email and send to me your telephone and fax numbers to enable us discuss further about this transaction.

Best regards,

Barrister James Peter
E-Mail:james100peter@yahoo.com.au

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam