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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:
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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:
  • "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "million united states dollars" (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)
  • "you will be entitled to 30%" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• 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.
  • michael2_collins@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR MICHAEL COLLINS." <michael_4collins@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: michael2_collins@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2006 14:09:43 +0400
Subject: URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL.


My Dear,

This letter may come to you as a surprise due to the fact that there are so many fake people and nobody knows whom to believe but that not with standing everybody cannot be a layer.
The message could be strange but real, if you pay some attention to it.


Please accept my apologies in bringing this message to you.
My name is Mr. Michael Collins, the director in charge of auditing and
accounting section of my bank. with due respect and regard.

During my investigation and auditing in this bank, I came across a very
huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person Engineer Christian Eric who died on July 2000 in a plane crash along with his family you can read more on this website.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

Although personally I keep this information secret within myself to enable the whole plans and idea be Profitable and successful during the time of execution. The said amount is us$14M (fourteen million united states dollars).


May I at this point emphasize that this transaction is 100% risk free
as I have made arrangements for a successful deal before contacting you.

On smooth conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 30% of the total sum as gratification, while 10% will be set aside to take care of expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone bills, while 60% will be for me.
Please, you have been advised to keep top secret as I am still in service and intend to retire from service after I conclude this deal with you.

All other necessary information will be sent to You when I hear from you.
Please reply me on this email address; michael2_collins@yahoo.co.uk for security reasons.

Yours sincerely
Mr Michael Collins.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam