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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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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "search for a reliable person" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: obed-gambudi@live.fr
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2008 19:09:41 +0000
Subject: From barrister obed, i salute you


Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is Obed Gambudi,the personal attorney to Miss.Shandy Dickson and I
am contacting you in regards to some funds deposited with a bank here in
Cote D'Ivoire. by my late client Miss.Shandy dickson who is now deceased and
leaving on known relatives to claim the fund.

After a series of search for a reliable person who I can establish for claim
of the fund, I contacted you and my contact with you is based on a
legitimate arrangement. This is because it is now my sole responsibility to
present any person of my choice in claim.

I am contacting you because i feel i could trust you and the fund in the
bank is $11.million dollars.

Due to the importance of this matter, I would appreciate if you can
write me back to enable me detail you further about this matter.

I do understand that this will sound so skeptical but I assure you that it
is legitimate.

Please you are not compelled to proceed with me because I require someone
that is highly responsible and trust worthy.

I will not release every information regarding this matter until I hear back
from you. Then if I am satisfied I will details you with every information
regarding this transaction and also give you more information about myself
to enable you have an idea of the person that you are dealing with.

We shall negotiate on the percentage split during our future correspondence.

I await your immediate contact .

Best regards,
Obed Gambudi(Esq).
Tel:00225 0978 4750
Tel: 01122 0978 4750

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam