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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:

• 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:
  • "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "trunk box" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a orphan 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.
  • venuscollins6@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MISS VENUS COLLINS" <venuscollins222@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Sun, 7 May 2006 15:39:35 +0200
Subject: PLEASE RESPOND BACK TO ME

Dearest One,
Good a thing to write you. I have a proposal for you, however is not mandatory nor will I in any manner compel you to honour against your will.
I am Miss venus collins 23 years old and the only daughter of my late parents Alhaji.and Mrs.Ahmed collins. My father was a highly reputable busnness magnet-(acocoa merchant) who operated in the capital of Ivory coast during his days. It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his business trips abroad year 18th.December, 2004 .
Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his who travelled with him at that time. But God knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 3 years old,and since then my father took me so special.
Before his death on 18th.December, 2004 he called the secretary who accompanied him to the hospital and told her that he had a sum of US$11.5M DOLLARS (ELEVEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS) deposited in a security company in a trunk box as family valables.mean while the security company does not know the contents of the money.
And his only daugther for next of kin. He also explained to her that it was because of this wealth that he was poisoned by his business associates, that I should seek for a foreign partner in a country of my choice where I will transfer this money to and use it for investment purposes. I want you to assist me in withdrawing this box which contians the money from the security company and then transfer it to your own country overseas as the new beneficiary, and also use it for an investment purpose.
I am just 23 years old and a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do. I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of inces sant political crisis here in Ivory coast.The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life.
Dearest one,I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards, Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded.
Now permit me to ask these few questions:-
1. Can you honestly help me?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the box is retrieved.
Please you can get back to me through my private box (venuscollins6@yahoo.com)
Thank you so much.
My sincere regards,
Miss venus

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam