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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:

• 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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • barrister_philipoba@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "BARRISTER PHILIP OBA" <barrphilipoba7@googlemail.com>
Reply-To: barrister_philipoba@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 19:20:25 -0800
Subject: LEGITIMATE BUSINESS PROPOSAL


Dear sir/madam,

I am Barrister Philip Oba,an attorney at law. A deceased client of mine
that bears same last name as yours, who here in after shall be referred to
as my client, died as the result of a heart-related condition on the 11
November 2001. His heart condition was due to the death of all the members
of his family in the Gulf Air Flight Crashes in Persian Gulf Near Bahrain
Aired August 23, 2000 - 2:50 p.m. ET as reported on:
http://transcripts.cnn.com /TRANSCRIPTS/0008/23/bn.08.html
I have contacted you to assist in distributing the money left behind by my
client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where
this deposit valued at Twelve million five hundred Thousand dollars(
US$12.5 million dollars) is lodged. This bank has issued me a notice to
contact the next of kin, or the account will be confiscated.

My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the
next-of-kin and beneficiary of my named client, since you have the same last
name, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you. Then we can
share the amount on a mutually agreed-upon percentage. All legal documents
to back up your claim as my client's next-of-kin will be provided.All I
require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction
through.

This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you
from many breach of the law. If this business proposi tion offends your
moral values,do accept my apology. I must use this
opportunity to implore you to exercise the utmost indulgence to keep this
matter extraordinary confidential, whatever your decision, while I await
your prompt response.Please contact me at once to indicate your interest. I
will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail as soon as possible
via my private EMAIL: ( barrister_philipoba@yahoo.com.hk) and treat with
absolute
confidentiality and sincerity.I look forward to your quick reply.

Best regards,
Philip Oba

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam