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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dearest beloved one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • rev_fatherpatricksmith@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "patrick smith" <rev_fatherpatricksmith@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: rev_fatherpatricksmith@.com
Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2005 03:34:55 +0000
Subject: Thank's And God Bless You,

Dearest Beloved One,

May the peace of the Lord be with you.

I am Rev. father patricksmith , 78 years old,from the Republic of Ireland.
Formally the Catholic Archbishop of London Dioceses. Ever since,I have been
helping the orphans in the orphanage, motherless homes and less previledged
across few African countries.

I have donated some money to orphanage in Sudan, South
Africa,Cameroon,Mozambique and liberia with the money I inherited from my
late father who was into diamond and crude oil business. But,it is sad to
let you know that I been going through series of illness from
auditory(hearing),multiple sclerosis and from cancer of the liver.Before I
got ill and relocated to my country Republic of Ireland,I have some money
amounting to Seven million two hundred
thousand united states dollar (US$7,200,000,00) only with Berclays Bank Of
London .And the funds is safe,I have been using the bank for over twenty
years now.

I will be going to the hospital anytime for major operations.Except it
pleases God,the chances of my survival is slim.God has specifically told me
to help the less previledged people with my money.Please I solicit for your
help to receive the money,invest it profitably and use it wisely for the
less previledged people in your country.If you can receive this money and
carry out this soul surviving transaction,kindly email immediately your
following contact details:

a)Your complete names
B)Your address
c)Company name if any
d)Private telephone number
e)Private fax number
f)Private email address
g)Your brief profile
h)Your Photograph

When I receive your above information,I will furnish you more details on how
the funds would be claimed by you from the bank.Thereafter,I will give you
instructions on how the funds will be invested and distributed among the
orphanages and less previledged in return.The Lord has already told me that
I would find a trustworthy person who can carry out this soul surviving
transaction.

My private email is rev_fatherpatricksmith@yahoo.com While I await your
response,may God bless you and your family.

Thank's And God Bless You,
Rev. fatherpatricksmith

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam