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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:
  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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Lubo Mbagi" <lubo_mbagi5@excite.com> (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 17 Jun 2006 14:02:37 -0700
Subject: With regards,

From The desk of, Mr. Lubo Mbagi
Branch Manager
International Commercial Bank Ghana
First Light Branch
Accra, Ghana.
Dear Sir,
I am Mr. Lubo Mbagi, the manager of the International Commercial Bank Ghana, First Light Branch Accra. I am a Ghanaian married with two kids.

I am writing to solicit your assistance in the transfer of US$3.5 Million Dollars. This fund is the excess of what my branch in which I am the manager made as profit during the last year. I have already submitted an approved End of the Year report to my Head Office here in Accra and they will never know of this Excess. I have since then, placed this amount of US$3.5 Million Dollars. On a SUSPENCE ACCOUNT without a beneficiary.

As an officer of the bank, I cannot be directly connected to this money thus I am impelled to request for your assistance to receive this money into your bank account. I intend to part 30% ofthis fund to you while 70% shall be for me. I do need to stress that there are practically no risk involved in this. It is going to be a bank-to-bank transfer to your nominated bank account anywhere you feel safer. All I need from you is to stand as the original depositor of this fund.

If you accept this offer, I will appreciate your timely response. Also you can forward your Fax number and your private Telephone number for speedy relation on this matter. Remember l am still working your confidentiality is needed in this transaction. Plaese trust and honest is the watchword of this our transaction.

You can reach me on my private Telephone number (+233-2462666-56) for more details on anything thing you don’t understand waiting to from you soonest.

With regards,
Mr. Lubo Mbagi

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam