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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:
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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:
  • "trunk box" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million us 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)
• This email message is a orphan scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Davis Kouassi" <davskous@yahoo.fr> (may be fake)
Reply-To: daviskous@yahoo.fr
Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2006 18:53:44 +0100
Subject: Assists

Dearest,

My name is Davis Kouassi from Sierra Leone the only son of late Mr & mrs. Kouassi the Director general of National Gold and Diamond Mining Corporation of Sierra Leone who was assassinated by the rebel forces Loyal to Major John Paul Koromah.
Before my father's death, he called me to inform me that he deposited a trunk box containing ( $ 6.5 million US Dollars) in Cote d'ivoire with his name in a security company, this trunk box was deposited as family treasure and African art for security reasons for safekeeping.

I have the legal documents for the deposit of the Funds with the security company in Cote d'ivoire, which my father gave to me before he died. He advice me to go out of Sierra Leone immediately to Cote d'ivoire where the funds are kept. He also instructed me that I should seek for a trusted foreign partner in any country of my choice who will assist me transfer the money in overseas account where the money will be save and invested wisely.
Because of the present political crisis here in Ivory Coast I decided to transfer the money to abroad where it will be save and invested wisely. therefore, I am seeking for your kind assistance to transfer this funds out of Africa for my future living.

Presently, I am residing in Cote d'ivoire as a refugee (Asylum Seeker. I am willing to offer you 35% of the whole money for the inconveniences this will cost you and for your support in this transaction.
As a matter of urgency and confidentiality, please do let me know if you can assist me in handling this transaction and the investment involve.

I anticipate your quick response, indicating your interest. So that you can serve as a guardian of the fund since I am a boy of 24 years old. After the fund is transferred to your country, you make arrangement for me to come over to your country to further my education and help me secure a resident permit for me in your country. In your reply do not forget to include your direct (private) telephone and fax numbers. Treat with utmost confidentiality.

Best Regard.
Davis Kouassi.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam