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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "contact me immediately" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • ganni_williamschamber@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr Ganni Williams" <ganni_williams00@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2006 16:52:49 +0000
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS





FROM THE DESK OF
GANNI WILLIAMS&ASSOCIATES
(LEGAL PRACTITIONERS)
41 ODIOLA HOPEWELL STRRET
VICTORIA ISLAND LAGOS-NIGERIA
EMAIL: ganni_williamschamber@yahoo.co.uk
PHONE; 009234-8060554183

CONGRATULATIONS

Your name and e-mail address came up in a random draw
conducted by our law firm,GANNI WILLIAMS AND ASSOCAISTES {Law Chamber
in Lagos,Nigeria. My name is ADVOCATE GANNI WILLIAMS esq. A personal
attorney to our late client Mr.FEDRICK VENEGAS who was the owner of the one
of the biggest oil servicing company in my country (blue bird oil servicing
company.)

Mr FEDRICK VENEGAS a well known Philanthropist, before he died, he made a
Will stating
that $8m (Eight million USA dollers only) should be donated to any
Philanthropist of our choice overseas. We have made a random draw that your
name and e-mail address was picked as
the beneficiary to this (Will) following his untimely death.
I am particularly interested in securing this money from the Bank,
because the bank management have issued a notice instructing us to produce
the
beneficiary of this philantropic gesture fund (Will) within two weeks or
else the money will
be credited to the Government treasury as per law here.

It is my utmost desire to execute the Will of our late
client.You are required to contact me immediately to start
the process of sending this money to any of your
designated official account. I urge you to contact me immediately
for further details bearing in mind that the Bank has
given us a date limit. please contact me with my
private mail box ganni_williamschamber@yahoo.co.uk or you can call my
direct number 009234-8060554183 for more informations.
Regards
ADVOCATE GANNI WILLIAMS

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam