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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "you will be entitled to 30%" (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)
  • "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: richard_duru228@yahoo.com.pe
Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:44:08 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Pls Read carefully and get back to me.


¡Tengo nueva dirección de correo!Ahora puedes escribirme a:richard_duru333@yahoo.com.pe



- FROM THE DESK OF MR. RICHARD DURU.AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT.FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPT.BANQUE INTERNATIONALE POUR' AFRIQUE(B.I.A)LOME- TOGO. Dear Friend I am Mr.Richard Duru,the director in charge of Auditing and Accounting section of BANQUE INTERNATIONAL DE AFRIQUE,Republic of Togo with due respect and regard.I have decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end of the transaction. During our investigation and auditing in this banque,my department came across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who died on November 1998 in a plane crash and the fund has been dormant in -his account with this Banque without any claim of the fund in our custody either from his family or relation before our discovery to this development. Although personally,I keep this information secret within myself to enable the whole plans and idea be profitable and successful during the time of execution.The said amount is US$5.5 Million Dollars (Five Million Five Hundred thousand Dollars). As it may interest you to know,I got your impressive information through the international consultant chamber here in Lom?Togo where I was searching for a good relaible contact to do the business with.I was elated the time I saw your address to propose the business to you. Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put claim over this fund as the bonafide next of kin to the deceased, get the required approval and transfer this money to a foreign account has been put in place and directives and needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your interest and willingness to assist us and also benefit your self to this great business opportunity. In fact I could have done this deal alone but because of my position in this country as a civil servant,we are not allowed to operate a foreign account and would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the time of transfer because I work in this banque. This is the actual reason why it will require a second party or fellow who will forward claims as the next of kin with affidavit of trust of oath to the Banque and also present a foreign account where he will need the money to be re-transferred into on his request as it may be after due verification and clarification by the correspondent branch of the bank,where the whole money will be remitted from to your own designation banque account. I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. On smooth conclusion of this transaction,you will be entitled to 30% of the total sum as gratification,while 10% will be set aside to take care of expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone bills,while 60% will be for me and my partners. Please,you have been adviced to keep top secret as we are still in service and intend to retire from service after we conclude this deal with you. I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you confirm the money in your account.And ask us to come down to your country for subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated and further investments,ither in your country or any country you advice us to invest in. All other necessary information will be sent to you when I hear from you. Iam waiting for your response to furnish you with further informations. Best Regard, Mr.Richard Duru

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam