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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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• 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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Joseph Burton" <joseph_b30@msn.com>
Reply-To: <josephburtonn2@live.com>
Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2009 11:11:38 +0000
Subject: Important



Dear Respected One,


I am Joseph Burton, an attorney at law. A deceased client of mine that shares the same last name as yours, who here in after shall be referred to as my client, died as the result of a heart-related condition on the 11 November 2004. His heart condition was due to the death of all the members of his family in the Gulf Air Flight Crashes in Persian Gulf Near Bahrain Aired August 23, 2000 -2:50 p.m. ET as reported on:http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0008/23/bn.08.html


I have contacted you to assist in distributing the money left behind by my client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Finance company where this deposit valued at Twenty million Seven hundred Thousand sterling British pounds (GBP£20.7 million pounds) is lodged. This Finance company has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin, or the account will be confiscated.


My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary of my named client, since you have the same last name, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you. Then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed-upon Percentage. All legal documents to back up your claim as my client's next-of-kin will be provided. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through.


This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from many breach of the law. If this business proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apology. I must use this opportunity to implore you to exercise the utmost indulgence to keep this matter extraordinary confidential, whatever your decision, while I await your prompt response.


I will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail as soon as possible and as well treat with absolute confidentiality and sincerity.


I await the pleasure of your response.


Best regards,
Joseph Burton.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam