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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "huge amount 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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: BENNIE MARK <benmarnd@yahoo.co.in>
Reply-To: benmarknie@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2006 01:32:45 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: APPEAL FOR URGENT BUSINESS ASSISTANCE.


DEAR SIR/MADAM,

I FEEL QUITE SAFE DEALING WITH YOU IN THIS IMPORTANT TRANSACTION THOUGH; THIS MEDIUM INTERNET HAS BEEN GREATLY ABUSED. I CHOOSE TO REACH YOU THROUGH EMAIL BECAUSE IT STILL REMAINS THE FASTEST MEDIUM OF COMMUNICATION. I KNOW THAT I HAVE NOT MET WITH YOU BEFORE BUT I BELIEVE ONE HAS TO RISK CONFIDING IN SOMEONE TO SUCCEED SOMETIMES IN LIFE.

THERE IS THIS HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY WHICH I INHERITED FROM MY LATE PARENTS IN A SECURITY COMPANY IN EUROPE, BEFORE TEHY WERE ASSASSINATED BY UNKNOWN PERSON. THOUGH THEIR SUDDEN DEATH WAS LINKED OR RATHER SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN MASTERMINDED BY AN UNCLE OF MY FATHER WHO TRAVELLED WITH THEM AT THAT TIME, WHO LATER SEIZED MY ENTIRE FATHER'S PROPERTY INCLUDING HIS CARS.
SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN UNDER THREAT AND WAS FORCED TO FLEE MY HOME TOWN TO THE CAPITAL CITY OF MY COUNTRY WHERE I WAS LIVING WITH THE FAMILY OF MY CHURCH PASTOR.NOW I DECIDED TO INVEST THIS MONEY IN YOUR COUNTRY OR ANYWHERE SAFE ENOUGH OUTSIDE AFRICA FOR SECURITY PURPOSES. I WANT YOU TO HELP ME TO CLAIM THE CONSIGNMENT OUT FROM THE SECURITY COMPANY TO YOUR COUNTRY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES. THEREAFTER, COME TO YOUR COUNTRY AND CONTINUE MY EDUCATION.

IF YOU CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE TO ME I WILL BE PLEASED TO OFFER YOU 20% OF THE TOTAL FUND WHILE 5% WILL BE FOR ANY EXPENSES THAT YOU WILL ENCOUNER DURING THE RELEASE.EVERY LEGAL DOCUMENT THE SECURITY COMPANY MAY REQUEST FROM YOU BEFORE THEY COULD RELEASE THIS CONSIGNMENT UNDER YOUR CUSTODY IS PRESENTLY WITH ME. BE INFORMED THAT THIS TRANSFER IS 100% RISK FREE. I WOULD NOT INVOLVE MYSELF IN ANY ILLEGAL TRANSFER.

THANKS FOR ASSISTING AN ORPHAN.

BEST REGARDS,
BENNIE MARK
JOHANNESBURG
SOUTH AFRICA.




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Find out what India is talking about on - Yahoo! Answers India
Send FREE SMS to your friend's mobile from Yahoo! Messenger Version 8. Get it NOW

---------------------------------
Find out what India is talking about on - Yahoo! Answers India
Send FREE SMS to your friend's mobile from Yahoo! Messenger Version 8. Get it NOW

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam