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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a "dying merchant" 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.
  • johnspencerfirm3@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "John Spencer" <john.spencer1023@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2006 18:59:01 -0500
Subject: AWAIT YOUR RESPONSE

Dear friend,

This letter may come to you as a surprise due to the fact that we have not
yet met. I have to say that I have no intentions of causing you any pains.
My name is Mr. John Spencer, a merchant in London, but taking treatment in
Dubai, in the U.A.E. now I have been diagnosed with prostate and oesophageal
cancer that was discovered very late due to lack of caring for my health. It
has defiled all form of medicine and right now, I have only about a few
months to live according to medical experts. I have not particularly lived
my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone not even myself but my
business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile
to people and only focus on my business as that was the only thing I cared
for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than
just wanting to have or make all the money in the world. Recently, I use to
say to my self that if God should give me a second chance I would have live
it differently way from how I have lived. I was meditating on my hospital
bed and something told me that God is giving me a second chance by keeping
me alive though doctors said I won’t last long. I know my time is near,
that’s why I have willed and given most of my properties and assets to my
immediate and extended family members and as well as some few close friends.
I have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be
one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money
to some charity organizations in the U.A.E, London and Ireland. And I have
also met two people on the net who have helped me distribute money to
charity organisations in their country. Now my health is deteriorating so
badly, I realy need you to help me distribute the last of my fortune. You
might be wondering why I did not ask my close relatives to pick over this
task. But I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and
donate the money, which I have there to charity organizations in Bulgaria ;
they closed the account but refused to donate the money to the
organisations, some of them even fled away with some of the money while the
rest shared the remaining among money among themselves. From the way they
are acting around me tells that they want me dead so that they can talk
about inheritance. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to
be content with what I have left for them. The last of my money which is a
huge cash deposit that I have with a security firm abroad will be put in
your care if only you will agree. I want you to help me collect this deposit
and dispatched it to charity organizations and let them know that it is I
John Spencer that is making this generous donation. I am writing this from
my laptop computer in my hospital bed where I wait for my time to come. I
pray for you to support and assist me with a good heart. But the choice is
yours

Please you can contact me through this email address:
johnspencerfirm3@yahoo.com
Be blessed my beloved,

John L. Spencer.

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam