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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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)
  • "million pounds" (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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Mr.Roy Hill <mh01hill2@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mrroyhill20@jmail.co.za>
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:57:27 +0000
Subject: Dear Friend



Dear Friend,


Greeting to you.


I propose to you a request that would be of immense benefit to both of
us. Being an executor of wills, it is possible that we may be tempted to
make fortune out of our client's situations, when we cannot help it, or
left with no better option. The issue I am presenting to you is a case of
my client who willed a fortune to his next-of-kin.


It was most unfortunate that he and his next-of-kin died on the same day
in the Alaska plane crash of 2000. I am now faced with confusion of who
to pass the fortune to.


According to the English law, the fortune is supposed to be bequeathed to
the government. However, I don't belong to that school of thought which
proposes that the fortune of unlucky people be given to the government.My
purpose of contacting you is to seek your acting as the beneficiary of the
will, and lay claim the legacy of twelve million,four hundred thousand
British pounds which this unfortunate client of mine bequeathed to his
next-of-kin. For now, I alone know about his will,as my client has great
confidence in me.


The share would be 25% for you and 75% for me. I would want to take care
of the needy and less privileged, as this is my primary objective. All I
have to do is amend the will to make you the beneficiary to the 12.4
million pounds legacy. Upon the acknowledgement of this email, details of
this proposal would be given.
I look forward to hearing from you soon


Yours truly


Mr.Roy Hill

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam