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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • john_hobson_icbghana@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: John Hobson <john_hobson_icbghana@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2006 18:09:46 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Transfer Fund Proposal Confidential"








>From the Desk of Mr.John Hobson
Auditor General,International Commercial Bank
Takoradi Ghana.


Hello My Dear,


My name is Mr. John Hobson, Auditor General of ICB here in Ghana West Africa. I have only written to seek your indulgence and assistance. I wish to make a transfer involving a huge amount of Œ45, 000,000.00. (Forty five million pounds sterling).


I am proposing to make this transfer to a designated bank account of your choice. Thus, for your indulgence and support, I propose an offer of 40% of the total amount to be yours after the transfer has been successfully concluded.


Kindly reply me stating your interest, and I shall furnish you with the details and necessary procedure with which to make the transfer. I am anxiously awaiting your response through my email address: john_hobson_icbghana@yahoo.co.uk , and include your telephone/fax number for better communication.


Thanks and God bless.


Regards,

Mr. John Hobson,
00233 242554863

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam