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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.

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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:
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: peter frank <peterf_frank@msn.com>
Reply-To: <peterfrankx11@googlemail.com>
Date: Sat, 16 May 2009 08:31:09 +0000
Subject: NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST



MANAGING PARTNER
Peter Frank & SOLICITORS
415 ROYAL LIVER BUILDING,
PIER HEAD, LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.

Re: NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST

On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Engr.Reinhard Hermann, I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter to you returned undelivered. I hereby attempt to reach you again by this same email address on the WILL.

I wish to notify you that Late Engr. Reinhard Hermann made you a Beneficiary to his WILL. He left the sum of Seventeen Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($17,500.000.00 USD) to you in the codicil and last testament to his WILL. This may sound strange and unbelievable to you, but it is real and true. Being a widely traveled man, he must have been in contact with you in the past or simply you were recommended to him by one of his numerous Friends abroad who wished you good.

Engr Reinhard Hermann until his death was a member of the Helicopter Society and the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers. He had a very good heart and was a philanthropist. His great philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his life time. I.e.UNO, WHO, & UNESCO.

Late Engr. Reinhard Hermann died on the 13th day of December, 2007. At the age of 80 years, and his WILL is now ready for execution. According to him this money is to support your humanitarian activities and to help the poor and the needy in your society.
Please if I reach you this time as I am hoping, endeavor to get back to me as soon as possible to enable me conclude my job. I hope to hear from you in no distant time.

Sincerely yours,
BARR.Peter Frank (ESQ).
P.Frank & SOLICITORS
MANAGING PARTNERS/SOLICITORS

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam