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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: fred james <fredchember001@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: barrfred_hillson@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 03:47:13 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: OUR CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS MATTER.


Legal Practitioner,
Barrister Fred Hillson {Esq}
(Akubia & Fred Hillson Associates),
Head Office: 128 Broad street,
ABUJA Nigeria.


OUR CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS MATTER.

Dear Friend,

I am Barrister Fred Hillson , I am the Personal Attorney to Engr.Clifton Westmoreland, who used to work with Chevron Petoluem Company Limited Nigeria.
On the 25th of July 2000 .My client, his wife and their three children were involved in a Air France concord plane crash bound for New York with his family, you can read more on the link website below:

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

Unfortunately they all lost their lives in the event of the crash, since then I have made several enquiries to your Embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his Relatives over the Internet, to locate any member of His family but of no avail,.I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money in addition, property left behind by my client before they get Confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank Where this huge deposits were lodged.Particularly, the Bank where the deceased Had an account valued at US$18 Million Dollars.

Consequently, the Bank issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the Account confiscated by the bank/Government of Nigeria within the next 30 official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the the relatives For over 7 years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you are a foreighner as my late client is, So that the proceeds of this Account valued at US$18 Million dollars can be paid to you and then you and I Can share the money.60% to me and 30% to you, while 10% should be for expenses or taxes your Government may require.

I have all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.

All I require from you is your Telephone, Fax Number,Age, Sex, occupation, Marrital Status; these will be used to obtain an Application of Claim from the Bank.

Your honest cooperation will be needed to enable us see this deal through.
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please your urgent respond is needed to this matter, as I will advice you contact me to discuss further.

Best Regards,
Barrister Fred Hillson (Esq)

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam