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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +448701394184 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Kelvin Cole" <kelvincole_efg6@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: kelvincole_efg001@yahoo.co.in
Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2006 03:29:55 -1000
Subject: EFG PRIVATE BANK

Dear Prospective Partner,

I am Mr.Kelvin Cole,I work as a Manager, Bills and Exchange with EFG PRIVATE
BANK,LONDON UK. I have an urgent and very confidential business proposal for
you.
An American Oil consultant/contractor, Mr.Michael Hall, deposited funds with
us,his bankers,EFG PRIVATE BANK LTD,LONDON, UK to the tune of £17,300,000.00
Pounds Sterling (Seventeen Million,Three Hundred thousand Pounds).

He died in a ghastly automobile accident. He died with his wife and two kids
without leaving any relations I have tried several years after his death to
trace any of his relations that might come over to claim the funds deposited
with us as his next of kin but found none.

I was his accounts officer and managed his account for him until his death.
I was soon promoted to become Manager in the Bills and Exchange department
and this makes all easy for us as I know how to go about getting the funds
transferred to you successfully.

This funds if not claimed before the expiration of this month, the entire
funds will be reverted to the ownership of the State or Government.
Consequently, my proposal to you is that I want you as a foreigner to stand
as the next of kin to the deceased so that the funds will not be claimed
back by the Government officials here.

So what I want us to is simple, I will like you to be presented as the next
of kin to the deceased. Your nationality or person does not matter.

All that I need is a sincere personality to accomplish this project.Please
note that your name or where you come from does not matter at all because
all the necessary documents/changes will be done by me in your favour as the
beneficiary.

I am manager here and I will prepare the necessary documents for the
drafting and notarization of the WILL and obtain the necessary documents and
letter of probate/administration in your favour to show that you are the
next of kin to the
deceased.

The bank's Board Of Directors will at the end of the day contact you after
going through the documents that the deceased lawyer will provide for you.
Take note that the total sum, £17,300,000.00 Pounds Sterling will be shared
in the ratio of 60% for me while 40% will be for you for assisting us with
claiming the funds.

There is no risk involved at all, the paperwork for this transaction will be
done legally, this will guarantee the successful execution of the
transaction.If you are interested, please reply immediately, and upon your
responce, I shall provide you with more details and relevant documents that
will help you understand the transaction.

Please observe utmost confidentiality and be rest assured that this
transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall require
your assistance to invest my share in your country and I also want to donate
some part of my share to charity and more information will come your way
upon your response.

Upon the reciept of this mail message, feel free to send to me the
following, to enable us start the process:

1. Your full names and contact address.
2. Your private telephone, cell phone and fax numbers.
3. Age, Sex
4. Occupation

Thanks and best regards in anticipation of your response.

Mr Kelvin Cole
EFG PRIVATE BANK,LONDON
Fax: +44 870 139 4184

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam