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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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• 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:
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "with absolute secrecy" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: frank ben <frankben8654311@msn.com>
Reply-To: <frank_ben71@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 18:23:48 +0000
Subject: GOOD DAY



Firstrand Bank17th floor, 1 Merchant Place, Corner Fredom Drive and Rivonia Road,Sandton,2196 P.O.Box 786273,Sandton,2146South Africa.Greetings,I apologize if the contents hereunder are contrary to your moral ethics.But please treat with absolute secrecy and personal.I discovered a dormant account in my office, as Group finance director with Firstrand Bank. It will be in my interest to transfer this fund worth $18,000,000 million dollar in an account offshore. If you can be a collaborator to this please indicate interest immediately for us to proceed. First transfer to your account Will be $8 million.You will keep 30% percent interest of the total Fund.10% for charity both in Africa and in your country while the remaining 5% will be set aside to settle expenses both parties might incure during the transfer process. Your contact phone numbers and name will be necessary for this effect.Upon the receipt of your reply, I will send to you a detailed information about the transaction.I will not fail to bring to your notice that this business is 100% risk and trouble free and that you should not entertain any fear as all modalities for fund transfer can be finalized within 7 to 9 bankingdays. Regards and respect,Director Affairs Corporate Governance CommitteFirstrand Bank Mr Frank

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam