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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:
  • "huge deposit" (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 next of kin 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.
  • +2348033830398 (Nigeria, 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.
  • mrsidris005@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: "STELLA IDRIS" <mrsidris@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mrsidris005@myway.com
Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 07:53:54 +0000
Subject: CLAIM OF YOUR BROTHER FUND

FROM THE CHAMBERS OF STELLA IDRIS (SAN) AND ASSOCIATES
EMAIL: mrsidris005@myway.com
TEL: 234-8033830398
I am Senior Advocate Stella Idris, the personal advocate to
Shell petroleum of Nigeria. A national of your country, who
used to work with shell development company in Nigeria. Here in after shall
be referred to as my client. On the 21st of April, 2003, my client, his wife
and their three children were involved in a car accident along sagbama
express road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.
Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my
clients extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful.

After several unsuccessful attempts to locate the deceased relations, I
decided to trace his surname over the directory, to locate any member of his
family hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating
the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated
or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit were lodged.
Particularly, the bank where the deceased had
an account valued at about $12 million dollars .i am in absolute possession
of all legal suites of the deceased. I therefore need you to come and claim
your relations wealth since both of you have interconnectivity in names. You
as the next of kin is expected by the bank to present your self within 6
working days before the fund is confiscated .I , your relations attorney
assures you that provide you present your self as the next of kin I will
prosecute all legal endorsement for you since this my interest for
2 years now .

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this deal
through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law Thanks and God
Bless
Best Regards.
STELLA IDRIS (SAN)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam