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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • "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 sum of money" (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)
  • "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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "=?utf-8?q?Mr.Obi=20Johnson?=" <obijohnson7@yahoo.in>
Reply-To: johnsonobi200538@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2008 19:29:03 +0530 (IST)
Subject: GOOD DAY URGENT RESPOND !!!!


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: obijohnson7@yahoo.in



- ATTN;Sir/madam,It is obvious that this proposal will come to you as a suprise.I am,(Obi Johnson)the manager standard trust bank a huge sum of money was discovered standing unclaimed which belong to late Engr.Steve Moore a national of Isle of Man in UK,who used to work with Shell Petroleum Development Company in Nigeria.On the 21st of April 1996,Engr Steve Moore,his wife And their three children were involved in a car accident along Sagamu/Lagos Express Road.Unfortunately they all lost their lives in the event of the accident,Since then I have made several enquiries to several Embassies to locate any of my clients extended relatives,this has also proved unsuccessful.I decided to tracehisrelatives over the nternet to locate any member of his family but of no avail,hence I contacted you.I contacted you to assist in repartrating the money and property left behind by my client,I can easily convince the bank that you are the only surviving relation of late Engr Steve Moore.Other!
wise the Estate he left behind will be confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged.Particularly, the Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about $27million U.S dollars.Conseqently,The bank issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days.since i have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives for over several years now.I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased,so that the proceeds of this account valued at $27million U.S dollars can be paid to your account and then you and me can share the money.55%to me and 40% to you,while 5% should be for expenses or tax as your government may require.I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.All I require is your honest. Please get in touch with me to enable us discuss further.Thanks, Mr.Obi Johnson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam