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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:
  • "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. )
  • ",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)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +34634064308 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "abogadopedro@ozu.es" <abogadopedro@ozu.es>
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:13:07 +1100
Subject: Abogado De Justicia

From:Abogado De Justicia
Madrid,Spain.

We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the
total sum of $2,500,000 (Two million five hundred thousand dollars) in the
codicil and last testament of the deceased. (Name now withheld since this
is our second letter to you). We contacted you because you bear the
surname identity and therefore can present you as the beneficiary to the
inheritance.

We therefore reckoned that you could receive these funds as you are
qualified by your name identity. All the legal papers will be processed upon
your acceptance. Upon your acceptance of this deal, we request that you
kindly forward to us your letter of acceptance, your current telephone and
fax numbers and a
forwarding address to enable us file necessary LEGAL documents in your name
at our high court probate division for the release of the fund in question.

Please contact me immediatley so that we can get this done immediately.

Kind regards,
Orbin Law Firm
Abogado De Justicia
Calle Embajadores,106.2,Madrid,Spain
Notario & Tribunal
Sr Pedro Antonio
Phone/Fax:+34-634-064-308
Email:abogadopedro@ozu.es

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam