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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
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• 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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • thompsonfrank121@netscape.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister Thompson Frank" <thompsonfrankchambers@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2006 02:30:54 +0000
Subject: RE:

                     FROM THE DESK OF

 

Thompson Frank & Associate.
Barrister Thompson Frank
57 Markham Street
London SW3 3NR United Kingdom.

E-mail: thompsonfrank121@netscape.net

 

Attention:

 
I am Barrister Thompson Frank a personal Attorney to (MR ALAN .P. SEANAM). Who is an Estate survivor here in London,He is my Client is a nationality of your country and is also a Gold field merchant.My client and his wife and their three children were involved in the Bomb blast at the train station. All occupants of the train unfortunately lost there 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 these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet, to locate any member of his family but to no avail, hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in repartrating the money and properties left behind by my client before they get confisicated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged.
 
Particularly, the Bank where the deceased had an account valued at exactly us$17.5 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confisicated within the next twenty four official working days.
 
Since i have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives for over 2 weeks now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to my deceased since you are from the same country and also you bears foreign name so that the proceeds of this account valued at us$17.5 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money in an agreeable percentage that we shall reach as we progress.
 
I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
 
Please get me your full contact details (1) Telephone and fax number. (2) Your full address and international passport. (3) Your occupation and possition.
 
Reply Immediately.
Best regards,
 
Barrister,Thompson Frank (eqs)RE

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam