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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • vicdaniels01@freeuk.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Victor Daniels" <vicdaniels02@freeuk.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:37:02 +0100
Subject: TREAT AS VERY URGENT

FROM MR VICTOR DANIELS
ACCOUNTANT, ECOBANK PLC
3,AHMADU BELLO WAY,
VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS
NIGERIA

Dear Friend,

Compliments of the seasons!

Permit me to introduce myself, my name is Mr Victor Daniels,
I work with Ecobank Plc as an Accountant. In the discharge
of my duty, I came across this domiciliary account that has
remained dormant for some years now with our bank valued
at the sum of Eight Million, Five Hundred Thousand United
States Dollars (US$8,500,000.00) I made some enquiries and
discovered that the account holder died on the 25th of July
2000 with his wife and their two Children in the Air
France concord plane crash bound for New York in their plan
for a world cruise. Check the web site below:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

I am writing you so that we can work together to remit the
money to you as the next of kin because this money belongs
to a foreigner and has to be claimed by a foreigner. I have
contacted you to assist in repatriating the money left
behind by the deceased before they get declared
unserviceable by the Bank where this huge Deposit was
lodged. The Bank has issued me a notice as the Accountant to
the Deceased to provide the Next of Kin or have the fund
declared as an UNCLAIMED FUND within the Next 30 official
working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for
over six(6) years now that I have been searching. I seek
your consent to present you as the Next of Kin to the
Deceased since you are a foreigner like him so that the
proceeds of this Bank Account can be paid out in your favor.
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law.

I guarantee that this transaction will be done under a
legitimate arrangement that will not breach the law by both
parties. It is a simple process which will take a short
while to process. I have all the necessary Legal Documents
that will be used to back up any claim we are going to
make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us
see this deal through.

Please acknowledge receipt of this message in acceptance of
our mutual business endeavor by furnishing me with the
following:-

1. Your Full Names and Address.
2. Your Age
3. sex
4. Occupation
5. Direct Telephone and Fax numbers.

These requirements will enable us file a letter of claim to
the appropriate departments for necessary approvals in your
favour before the transfer can be made. You will be
compensated with 20% of the total fund on final conclusion
of this project, while the rest shall be for me. Your share
stays with you while the rest shall be for us for
investment purposes in your country.

I wait for your urgent reply so that we can proceed with the
proper documentation of the transfer to your favour through
legal processes. You can also reach me through this e-mail
address: vicdaniels01@freeuk.com

Best Regards,

Mr Victor Daniels.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam