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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:
  • "chambers" (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.
  • +27741425432 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • baloyi@pnetmail.co.za
  • mboma@pnetmail.co.za

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: mboma@pnetmail.co.za
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2008 07:34:13 +0200
Subject: URGENT


From: Baloyi (For Trustees)
Managing Partner(Baloyi Chambers)
Pretoria, South Africa
Tel: +27 74 14 25 432
Email:*baloyi@pnetmail.co.za/mboma@pnetmail.co.za*
**
On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Mr. Brian York
, I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter was returned
undelivered. I hereby attempt to reach you again by this same email address
on the WILL.I wish to notify you that late Mr. Brian York made you a
beneficiary to his WILL. he left the sum of Five Million Hundred Thousand
Dollars (USD$ 5,100.000.00 ) to you in the codicil and last testament to his
will.this may sound strange and unbelievable to you, but it is real and
true. Being a widely travelled man, he must have been in contact with you in
the past or simply you were nominated to him by one of his numerous friends
abroad who wished you good. Mr. Brian York until his death was a member of
the Helicopter Society and the Institute of Electronic & Electrical
Engineers. He was a very dedicated Man who loved to give out.His great
philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his life time. Late Mr. Brian
York died on the 16th day of February 2004 at the age of 90 years and his
WILL is now ready for execution. According to him this money is to support
his Goodwill activities (may his soul rest in peace.) and to help the poor
and needy.Please if I reach you as I am hopeful,endeavour to get back to me
as soon as possible to enable me conclude my job. Thanks and remain bless. I
hope to hear from you as soon you get my email.
Yours in His service,
B.Baloyi Esq.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam