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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• 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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "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)
  • "transaction is risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +27734403680 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: maryam esen <maryamesen001za@yahoo.co.in>
Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2006 05:46:29 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL


Mrs. Maryam Esen
RANDBERG REFUGEE CAMP
C/O ROCK OF AGES EVANGELICAL MINISTRY
SOUTH AFRICA
TEL:+27-73-440-3680

ATTN:

With the best compliments of the day, I wish to solicit your help in migrating to your country and investing my funds. I am a Sierra Leonean National and the wife of late Dr Simon Esen Until his death, my husband was the General overseer of the Gold and Diamond Mining Corporation in Kanema Sierra Leone.

On April 6 2000 the military forces loyal to the Government of Ahmed TIJAN KABBAH invaded the Diamond and Gold mine and assassinated my husband, mistaking him for his brother MIKE Esen who is the deputy to the leader of the revolutionary United Front (RUF ).
When the news reached me, I hurriedly gathered some valuables in our family villa and escaped for my dear life in the company of my only son George.To South Africa,.

It was on our arrival to South Africa that my late Husband's Lawyer and Finacial Adviser,made me to know that my husband has deposited US$25.5M (Twenty-five Million Five Hundred Thousand U.S Dollars)In a Security Company contained in 1 Trunk box in the name of our son George . He did not disclose the real contents of the Trunk Box to the Security Company. He Declared the contents as Family Valuables for security reasons.

This is the money he made from the sale of Gold and diamonds during his time as the General overseer. Now that we are in South Africa and verified the transaction, we need your assistance to move this funds out of South Africa for investment in your country as we cannot invest here due to its nearess to our country and the insecurity still going on there.
We ask you to scout for a viable and lucrative business, so that we can invest wisely. We have it in mind to give you 20% of the total sum (25.5 million US Dollars), and 75% share in any investment we will embark upon if you assist us. We will also set aside 5% of the funds for ancillary expenses which you will make in course of this transaction ( fax messages, phone calls, air tickets etc).

This fortune of ours we have revealed to you should remain CONFIDENTIAL as it only you who we have told about it. Kindly indicate your interest and willingness to assist us on receipt of this message for us to clarify you on how to proceed. Note that this transaction is risk free. May the shelter and care of God be upon you as you assist us Remain blessed.
Yours Sincerely,

Mrs. Maryam Esen





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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam