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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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)
  • "a security company " (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. )
  • "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.
• 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.
  • richardosei002@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: richard_osei1@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:47:32 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: REPLY ME


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: richardosei002@yahoo.com

REPLY ME

- Dear Friend, I am Richard Osei, a Ghanaian Citizen and of 23 years of age. I am contacting you because I have a very good investment matter that I have been seeking from Abroad. My father was the commander of the gold district in my village and before his death he left the sum of US$6Million worth of gold and in cash in a security company here in Ghana for I and my 16 years old brother knowing too well that his position is a risky one because of high demand of gold and attackers from the western world and native people surrounding him. My father clarified the deposit as a personal belonging to the knowledge of the security company for security reasons and for the safety of the package, which we have to claim before the end of this year.My father has paid for all the storage charges/fee of the package which will be expiring at the end of this year, so that is why I am seeking to transfer this assets before the expiration date. He made this money and gold from private sales and diversion of pure gold with his America friend Mr. Robert James Hollyford who I have been trying to contact right now without success. I am contacting you so that you will help to work as a foreign investor of my father that is supposed to take care of the cargos and receive them in safe hands.Because an agreement was reached with the company and my father that his foreign partner will claim the cargos once we the children release the certificate of deposit and personal identification (PIN) to the investor.I and my 16 year brother have resolved to give you 25% of the total worth if you will help us claim this cargo and invest them in your country where the government will not take much tax from the total sum. Please, if you wish to help, send me your contact telephone and fax number including address and I will contact you so that we can talk in details concerning this. As soon as I hear from you,I will send you my telephone number and my main aim is for you to help me come over to your country so that I will finish my education.Hope to speak with you soon. Thanks, Richard Osei

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam