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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• 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.
  • +27739887785 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Richard Douglas" <richard_douglas54@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: douglas@officeonlines.org
Date: Fri, 06 Oct 2006 11:10:13 +0000
Subject: Please respond back

Date: 6th October 2006
>From the Desk of:
Engr. Richard Douglas
South Africa
Direct Tel: +27 -73-988 7785

Dear Friend,

URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL

It is my great pleasure in writing you this letter on behalf of my
colleagues. I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in
the execution of the deal described hereunder for the benefit of all
parties.

I am Engr. Richard Douglas, Director Of Project Implementation, South Africa
Department of Minerals & Energy I am making this contact with you, based on
the committee's need for an individual/company who is willing to assist us
in the execution of this business. Within the Department of Minerals &
Energy, where I work and with the good co-operation of four other top
officials, we have in our possession as over due payment bills, totaling
Twenty One Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars
(US$21,500,000) Which we want to transfer abroad with the assistance and
co-operation of a foreign Company/individual to receive the said funds on
our behalf as the South African Civil Services code of conduct does not
allow us to operate an offshore account.

This amount $21.5M represents the balance of the total contract value
executed on behalf of my ministry by a Foreign Contracting Firm, which we
the Officials over invoiced deliberately. Though the actual contract cost
has been paid to the original contractor, leaving the balance in the tune of
the said amount.

I have the Authority of my partners involved to propose that your share of
the sum is 30% of the $21.5Million, 60% for us and 5% for taxation and
miscellaneous expenses and remaining 5% will be for charity organization.
The transaction it self is 100% risk free, Consequently, if you find this
proposal acceptable to you and you wish to assist us, Let me therefore
expect your very urgent response through my direct phone, or e-mail address.
Endeavor to include your private phone and fax numbers. Please send your
response to my private email account:(douglas@officeonlines.org)

Thank you for your co-operation.

Yours Faithfully,
Engr. Richard Douglas
Tel: +27 73 988 7785

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam