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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:
  • "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "await your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• 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.
  • frank_smi@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: FRANK SMITH <f.ras.18@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <frank_smi@myway.com>
Date: Thu, 31 May 2007 22:26:24 -0400
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE



Hello friend,
My name is Mr.Frank Smith.I work in a bank here in the United Kingdom. I decided to contact you due to the urgency of thistransaction.
PROPOSITION:
I am the account officer of a foreigner who died in an air crash alongwith his entire family in a forceful plane crash on Monday, 31july,2000 @ 13:22gmt 14:22uk You can confirm this from the websitebelow which was published on BBC news WEBSITE.Http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stmSince his death, none of his next-of-kin are alive to make claims forthis money as his heir, because they all died in the same accident,himself and his wife (May Their soul rest in peace). We cannotrelease the fund from his account unless someone applies for claim as the next-of-kin to the deceased as indicated in our Banking guidelines. Upon this discovery,I now seek your permission to have you stand as a next of kin to the deceased,as all documentations will be carefully worked out for the funds which amounts to (US$12,500,000. 00) to be released in your favor as the bonafide next of Kin to the deceased.Please acknowledge receipt of this message in acceptance of our mutualbusinessn endeavor by furnishing me with the following information ifyou are interested.1. Beneficiary full name/address.2. Direct Telephone and fax numbers.I shall be compensating you with US$4.5m on final conclusion of thisProject for your assistance, while the balance US$8m shall be for mefor investment Purposes.If this proposal is acceptable by you, please endeavor to contact meimmediately.I await your urgent response.Regards,Mr. Frank Smith.NB. PLEASE SEND YOUR REPPLY TO MY PRIVATE MAIL BOX,frank_smi@myway.com
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam