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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:
  • "huge sum of money" (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 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)
  • "confidentiality of this transaction" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Festus Odinaka" <festus20004@ny.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: festus20004_@ny.com
Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 18:10:02 +0000
Subject: URGET BUSSINESS ASSISTANT

Attn:

I feel quite safe dealing with you in this mutual beneficail transaction.
Though, this medium (Internet) has been greatly abused, I choose to reach
you through it because it still remains the fastest, surest and most secured
medium of communication. However, this correspondence is purely private, and
it should be treated as such. I also guarantee you that this deal is hitch
free from all what you may think of. I am FESTUS ODINAKA. The MANAGER
incharge of Claims and Indemnity of PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY. I am
contacting you based on Trust and confidentiality that will be attached to
this deal for the benefit of both of us.

The Management and the Legal / Treasury Department of this PRUDENTIAL
INSURANCE COMPANY in a recent meeting, recommended that the account of MR.
ROBERT FINKELSTEIN, who maintained a Life Assurance Policy, should be
declared Dormant and confisticated hence moving his unclaimed benefits funds
to the Treasury according to our Banking and Financial law. Recently, I came
across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person (MR. ROBERT
FINKELSTEIN). He is foreigner,unfortunately He is now late as he was amongst
those that was Killed in a plane crash,as you can confirm through this
website http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

This man was our client and has a Life Assurance Policy WORTH the sum of
Forty Five Million United States Dollars (US$45,000,000.00). Right now, the
fund is lying unclaimed in the BANK and there is NO next of kin mentioned in
his file and there is NO HOW we can reach any of his other relatives. All
efforts made by us to establish contacts with any other of his relation has
proved abortive and unsuccessful. His Life Assurance Policy will expire in
the next few months from the date of this letter. Just last week we received
an instruction from Ministry of Social Welfare to forward particulars of all
unclaimed benefits that will expire in the next few months. Upon my personal
finding on this matter, I kept this information secret to myself until now
that I am contacting you.

In view of the fact that the deceased customer is a foreigner (from a
different country), it is Officially important for the involvement of a
foreigner who will pose as a NEXT-OF-KIN. I will use my exalted position in
this Insurance Company to present you as his Next of Kin as you can be his
relative, friend or Cousin and the Money (US$45Million) will be Safely
transfered into your own bank account in your country. Please include your
telephone/fax number/ Home Address when replying this mail and I will give
you more information as soon as you indicate your willingness to assist in
this viable transaction.I will use my exalted position here to get all
internal documentations to back up the claims. The whole Procedures will
last only 5 working days to get the fund retrieved successfully Without
trace even in future. Please I need the following:

1. YOUR FULL NAME
2. PHONE AND FAX NUMBER
3. HOME ADDRESS/COMPANY'S NAME AND ADDRESS.
4. YOUR AGE AND OCCUPATION

The transaction will be done successfully and smoothly completed via email
and telephone. You don't need to come to my country. Send your full name,
address and telephone number to me via email urgently today so that I will
call you for discussions. I PROMISE that you must be happy and shall rejoice
greatly soonest for cooperation with me in this transaction. After
successful conclussion of this transaction, we shall share the money 60-40
(40% for you and 60% for me).

I await your good response today. Thanks and remain blessed. I require you
to maintain the confidentiality of this transaction because it is important
due to the fact that I am still in active services to the PRUDENTIAL
INSURANCE COMPANY. Your earliest response to this matter is very important.
I AM WAITING YOUR REPLY TODAY.

Sincerly,
FESTUS ODINAKA
MANAGER;
PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam