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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • john.nteba@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: alex smith <alexsmithattorneys2@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <john.nteba@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:08:32 +0200
Subject: FROM:HON. JOHN (BARRISTER)



ALEXANDER THAMBO & ASSOCIATES
Advocates – At –Law, Acting Solicitors, Notary Public, General Legal Practitioner,Conveyances, Commercial Law, Admiralty, Trust, Civil Litigation, Personal Injuries, Wills, Property Transaction. Regional Office: Suite 1197, Sanlam Centre Sentirium Kent Avenue, Randburg, Johannesburg South Africa Tel: 27-73-523-77-03, Fax: 27- 11-507-66-57 Email:john.nteba@gmail.com



ATTN: THE PRESIDENT/ MANAGING DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: URGENT ARRANGEMENT

Dear Sir/Madam,

Iam Barrister John Lucas Ntamba of ALEXANDER THAMBO ASSOCIATES Chambers and the legal adviser to Engineer Manuel Arriaga, a national of your country who used to be a contractor with (ANGLO GOLD MINES) Mafikeng. Gold Mining/ Exploration Corporation in South Africa hereinafter shall be referred to as my client.

On February 21, 2002 my client, his wife and their three children were involved in a car accident. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several personal inquiries from the embassy to locate any of my client’s extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.

After several unsuccessful attempts, I now decided to inform you, hence I contacted you. I have send you this letter to assist in repatriating the money left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit were lodged, particularly the Standard Bank of South Africa, where the deceased had an account valued at about US$18,000,000.00 (Eighteen Million United States Dollars only) has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated though there are persons of same nationals here in South Africa non of them is a direct relative with the deceased and no one had an idea of this deposit.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over a period of time, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you have the same nationality so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$18,000,000.00 (Eighteen Million United States Dollars only) can be transferred into your designated account and I shall proceed down to your country on confirmation of the fund in your account to discuss with you on how to invest the money, meanwhile you will be required here (South Africa) to endorse your signature on some of the documents as the next of kin to the deceased once the fund has been approved by the bank.

I shall revalidate and notarize all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim that the bank may need, this is a risk free transaction because the banker who is in charge of account section is involved. I have resolved to give you 25% (US$4, 500, 00.00) for your assistance in this transaction, 5% (US$900,000.00) will be set aside for any expenses that will be incurred by both parties during the course of this transaction and the remaining 70% (US$12,600,000.00) will be for me. I guarantee you this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Kindly call me on my phone number before sending any fax message for security reasons. I need your strong assurance and confidentiality.

God bless us.

Best regards,

HON. JOHN LUCAS NTAMBA
(BARRISTER)




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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam