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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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "abidjan" (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 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.
  • +22507234723 (Cote d'Ivoire, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "From Laurent Omaku" <omaku6@yahoo.fr> (may be fake)
Reply-To: omaka55@yahoo.fr
Date: Fri, 30 Jun 2006 00:50:18 +0000
Subject: From Laurent Omaku

From Laurent Omaku
Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire
West Africa.
Tel:+225 0723 4723.
Hello,Good day and Compliments,

I am writing to write this letter in confidence believing that if it is the wish of God for you to help me and my family, God almighty will bless and reward you aboundantly I am a male student from University of Cocody in Abidjan Cote D'Ivoire, My name is Laurent Omaku,I am 22 yrs of age. I'd like any person who can be caring, loving and home oriented. I will love to have a long-term relationship with you and to know more about you. I would like to build up a solid foundation with you in time coming if you can be able to help me in this transaction. Well, my father died six months ago leaving I and my younger sister behind. He was a king, which our town citizens titled him over twenty five years. before his death. I am the prince and the only son.
I am the only person who can take care of his wealth now because my younger sister is still young and my mother is not literate enough to know all my father's wealth. before my father died in the hospital, he called me and told me that He left the sum of (5.m) Five Million American Dollar in a security company in Europe.This money was annually paid into my fathers account from Shell petroleum development company(spdc) and chevron oil company operating in our locality for the compensation of youth and community development in our jurisdiction.
I don't know how and what I will do to invest this money somewhere in abroad, so that my father's kindred will not take over what belongs to my father and our family, which they were planning to do without my present because I am young and under age as stated by our culture in the town. Now,i urgently need your humble assistance to move this money from the security company to your bank account, That is why I felt happy when I saw your contact because I strongly believe that by the grace of God, you will help me invest this money wisely.
I am ready to offer you 15% of the total amount as compensation if only you help us in this transaction and another 5% interest of Annual Income to you, for handling this transaction for us, which you will strongly have absolute control over. If you can handle this project sincerely and also willing to assist me in lifting this fund, kindly reach me. Please, note that this transaction is 100% risk free and I hope to commence the transaction as quick as possible, I will send you my photograph as soon as I hear from you.Please kindly provide me with your telephone and fax numbers for easy communications.

Yours sincerely,

Laurent Omaku.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam