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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic immunity"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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)
  • "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • brucejohn40@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MAJOR BRUCE JOHN" <brucejohn40@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 08 May 2009 12:32:01 +0100
Subject: YOUR ASSISTANCE NEEDED URGENTLY!

Hello,
It is indeed my pleasure to write you this letter, which I
believe will be a surprise to you as we have never met
before, and I am deeply sorry if I have in any manner
disturbed your privacy. Please forgive this unusual manner
of contacting you, but this particular letter is of
exceptional and very private nature. There is absolutely
going to be a great doubt and distrust in your heart in
respect of this email, coupled with the fact that, so many
individuals have taken possession of the Internet to
facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby making it
extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate business
class persons to get attention and recognition. There is no
way for me to know whether I will be properly understood,
but it is my duty to write and reach out to you.

I am a British soldier attached to UN peace Keeping force in
Iraq, I am the commanding officer of the First Battalion of
the Royal Irish Regiment, as you may know everyday, there
are several cases of insurgents attacks and suicide bombs
going on here.
We managed to Move funds belonging to some demised persons
that are killed through insurgent attacks. The total amount
was US$8 million dollars in cash. We want to move this money
to you, so that you may keep our share for us till when we
will come over to meet you.

We will take 60%, my partner and I. You take 40%. No strings
attached, just help us move it out of Iraq, Iraq is a war
zone. We plan on using diplomatic courier and shipping the
money out in two large metallic Boxes, using diplomatic
immunity.
If you are interested i will send you the full details, my
job is to find a good partner that we can trust to assist
us. Can I trust you? When you receive this letter, kindly
send me an e-mail via this email address
BRUCEJOHN40@GMAIL.COM,signifying your interest including
your most confidential telephone/fax numbers for quick
communication also your mailing address. This business is
risk free.
Respectfully,
MAJOR.BRUCE JOHN
BRUCEJOHN40@GMAIL.COM

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam