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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:
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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:
  • "million pounds" (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)
  • "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447045735307 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <adamstonyconsult@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:17:18 +0000
Subject: Estate of Late Jose Still Unclaimed (VERY URGENT)








Foreign Remmittance Dept,
Ministry Of Foreign Affairs
Essex House Wales,United Kingdom.


Tel/fax:+44-7045735307

Estate of Jose Pinheiro Still Unclaimed

With all due respect,i still want to notify you once again that, the Claims Department of a National Bank here in Britain where Mr Jose (late)had an account valued at about 15,382.000.00 million pounds has issued us a notice(10 days mandate) to provide his available next of kin or have his account declare unserviceable before the Third week of November.

Owing to this fact,i have written his embassy severally for them to get back to me,so that we will proceed with the claim of Mr Jose inheritance as stipulated under the british law act'' since I can't present myself as the heir.

Moreover,since you have the chance to stand as the sole beneficiary with the deceased.You don't have to entertain any form of fear,because we have all the neccessary documents to back up this claim.


Finally,if i hear from you this time with your Full Name, Address with zip, Age, Occupation and cell numbers,i will send you an application of claim which you will forward to the Bank Claims Department for their approvals and release of his entitlement to you as the sole next of kin. Percentage is 50-50.

Thanks,as i await your urgent response.

Best Regards,
Dr. Tony Adams.Jr (Esq)
Foreign Remittance Dept,
Ministry Of Foreign Affairs
Essex Wales, United Kingdom.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam