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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:
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "lagos" (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.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +2348023262343 (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.
  • haruna_abu@k.ro (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Haruna Abu" <phillip_eke@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: haruna_abu@k.ro
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2006 13:53:00 +0000
Subject: Compliments, Please Reply Now.

Hi,

I am Barrister Haruna Abu (Esq), a solicitor at law. I reside on plot 23
Akin Williams Crescent , Victoria Island Lagos-Nigeria the same building
that houses my law firm. I got your contact reliably through an associate
attached to foreign Mission chambers of commerce and industry and it has
given me pleasure to write regards this proposal.

I am writing respect to one of my clients Mr. Isah El Farouk who
unfortunately lost his life in the recent Bellview plane crash that occured
in Ifoh Ogun state last year. I am seeking your help in helping to stand on
his behalf as next of kin so that the estate and the fund valued at Six
Million Pounds currently in the custody of a Security Finance and vault
company in Europe can be paid to you before the account gets unserviseable.
I will provide all necessary requirements to back up this claim all i need
is your go ahead so that i can ef fect documentation change.

If you are willing to assist, kindly get in touch with me only via my
private email stated below for more details or call my direct mobile line.
Please do not bother to reply if you are unwilling to help, urgent response
to this letter will be proudly appreciated. .

Sincerely.

Haruna Abu (Esq)
Email: haruna_abu@k.ro
Cell: +2348023262343

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam