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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:

• 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:
  • "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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• 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.
  • johnrobinson_4470@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: John Robinson <johnrobinson_6816@msn.com>
Reply-To: <johnrobinson_4470@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 2009 08:29:13 +0000
Subject: Urgent Attention



NatWest Bank plc
P.O Box 204 1 Hatton Garden
London
EC1N 8AA



Attn:Sir



I got your contact through the internet and I decided to reach you because presently i am in desperate need of a trust worthy foreign person for this proposal.I am John Robinson Branch Manager,National Westminster Bank Plc. In January 2002, one of my customer (foreigner) who is a Consultant/General contractor here in United Kingdom, made a numbered time Fixed) Deposit,valued at (Eleven Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars), for twelve (12) calendar months in my Bank branch.



Upon maturity, we sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his contract employers that he is no longer on earth.The said fund is still in my Bank and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year.



In accordance with the British banking and Financial Law, at the expiration of some years, money will berevert to the ownership of the British Government if nobody come for the claim.Consequently,I shall present you as the next of kin, hence you are a foreigner it will be easy for us to claim the money and the money will be share in the ratio of 60% for me, 40% for you.



There is no risk involved as i will use my position as the Branch Bank Manager to secure approvals and guarantee the successful execution of this transaction within 7-working days.If this proposal interest you, please include your private telephone number for voice contact.Looking forward to your urgent reply via mail:johnrobinson_4470@yahoo.co.uk



Thanks,
Best regards.
Mr.John Robinson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam