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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
  • "keep this confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
• This email message is a "Yukos oil" scam. The criminals who send such emails have no connection to Yukos Oil. The emails are usually sent from Nigeria. The only money that ever changes hands in this scam is from you to the criminals.
• 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.
  • larisasosnitskaya08@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Woolfall, Kerry" <K.Woolfall@ljmu.ac.uk>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 12:16:33 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend{Your Urgent Reply Needed}

Dear Friend,
I am Larisa Sosnitskaya and I represent Mr. Mikhail Khordokovsky the former
C.E.O of Yukos Oil Company in Russia. I have a very sensitive and confidential
brief from this top (oligarch) to ask for your partnership in re-profiling
funds in the amount of US$46 Million (Forty six million United States
Dollars). This is a legitimate transaction. You will be paid 20% as your
commission/compensation for your active efforts and contribution to the
success of this transaction.
If you are interested, please do indicate by providing me with your full
names, email address, confidential telephone number, fax number and I will
provide further details and instructions.
Please keep this confidential as we cannot afford more political problems.
Kindly send me your response as soon as possible to my confidential address:
larisasosnitskaya08@gmail.com
I look forward to it.
Regards,
Larisa Sosnitskaya

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam