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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a "dying widow" 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.
  • +27733568333 (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.
  • bendukelaw@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "esther akikujp" <estherakikujp11@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 15:38:03 +0200
Subject: HOPE FOR THE CHARITIES!

Home Address:
11 Louis Botha Avenue,
Highlands North,
Johannesburg North,
South Africa.

Respectable lover of humanity,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am former Mrs. Alsha Atiku
now Mrs. Esther Atiku, A widow to the Late Abdul Atiku, I am 72 years old, I
am now a new Christian convert, suffering from long time cancer of the
breast. From all indications my condition is really deteriorating and it's
quite obvious that I won't live more than four months according to my
doctors. This is because the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage.

My late husband was killed during the U.S raid against terrorism in
Afghanistan. During the period of our marriage we couldn't produce any
child. My late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all
his businesses and wealth.

Base on my doctors advised, so I now decided to divide part of this wealth,
to contribute to the development of the churches in Africa, America, Asia
and Europe.
I selected you after visiting the website and I prayed over it, I am willing
to donate the sum of US$12,200,000.00, to you for the less privileged.
Please I want you to note that, this fund is deposited in a Security Company
and upon my instruction, you will file in an application for the transfer of
the fund in your name.

Lastly, I honestly pray that this money when transferred will be used for
the said purpose, because I have come to find out that wealth acquisition
without Christ is vanity upon vanity.

May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship
of the Holy Spirit is with you and your family.

I Await your Urgent Reply.

Kindly contact my lawyer Attorney Ben Duke, through his Email address:
(bendukelaw@yahoo.co.uk ) Office Address: 24 Main Road St James Muizenberg
7940 Cape Town, South Africa. Give Attorney Ben Duke a Call immediately so
that he can start the process on time. Direct line +27-733-568-333;also
inform him that you are the person I want to distribute the fund to for the
Charities.

Yours in Christ.

Mrs. Esther Atiku. (JP)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam