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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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: fredricks Lawnson <fredrisons@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2006 12:18:44 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Re: reply


Thank you for your prompt response to my emails, the search for the Next of Kin to the deceased person has not been successful at all and since you and the deceased person share the same Surname, I think you and I can come to a conclusion on this matter.
I am a consultant in Philips Consulting Firm UK, under the department of Science and Agriculture. I had the chance to meet the client in question before he died. He wanted to invest millions of pounds in Agriculture which the money was transferred and put in a security company here in UK so that the firm can have access to manage it upon his approval, But shortly after the lodgment of the funds, he was admitted to the hospital for heart attack when he heard that his wife and two children died in a fire disaster in Manchester, which he died several months later. Since then I have been looking for his relative but to no avail, as the consultant in charge of this client I can make you the Next of Kin to the deceased person which you will be entitled to 30% of the total fund after the transfer entitlement as been made in your name. All documents will be forwarded to you upon your answer request so that we can move ahead on this; I await your prompt response as usual.

Yours sincerely,
Mr. Fredrick Lawnson.
Phillips Consulting.




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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam