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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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)
  • "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "30% for you " (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)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Dr phil hodkinson <phil_hodkinson38@msn.com>
Reply-To: <phil-hodkinson2000@uku.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2009 07:23:26 +0000
Subject: RE_BANKING BUSINESS






Dear Friend,
Let me start by introducing myself. I am Dr Phil Hodkinson director of operations of the Alpha Bank United Kingdom .I have an obscured business suggestion for you.Before the U.S and Iraqi war, our client Major Fadi Basem who was with the Iraqi forces and also business man made a numbered,fixed deposit for 18 calendar months, with a value of £15,000,000.00 (Fifteen Million Pounds Sterling)only in my branch.
Upon maturity several notice was sent to him,even during the war early last year.Again after the war another notification was sent and still no response came from him.We later find out that the Major and his family had been killed during the war in bomb blast that hit their home.After further investigation it was also discovered that Major Fadi Basem did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the paper work of his bank deposit. And he also confided in me the last time he was at my office that no one except me knew of his deposit in my bank.So, (Fifteen Million Pounds Sterling)is still lying in my bank and no one will ever come forward to claim it.What bothers me most is that according to the laws of my country, at the expiration 4 years the funds will revert to the ownership of the United Kingdom Government if nobody applies to claim the funds.
Against this backdrop,my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to Major Fadi Basem so that you will be able to receive his funds.
WHAT IS TO BE DONE:
I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall come out successful. I have contacted an attorney that will prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to Major Fadi Basem , all that is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with your Full Names and Address so that the attorney can commence his job.Due to lax Inheritance Laws you can claim it quite easily, part of the Funds is with a Deposit House, if you can come to the UK i can arrange all the paperwork for you to claim the money, this will not take more than a day of your time.
After you have been made the next of kin, the attorney will also fill in for claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and letter of probate in your favor for the move of the funds to an account that will be provided by you.
There is no risk involved at all in the matter as we are going to adopt a legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the necessary documents.Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue.Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated bank account we shall share in the ratio of 70% for me, 30% for you .Should you be interested please send me your full names and current residential address.
Finally, after that i shall provide you with more details of this operation.
Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.
Regards, Dr Phil Hodkinson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam