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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Greg Hamilton" <office@mail.az> (may be fake)
Reply-To: groffice1@baku.az
Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2007 14:59:42 -0700
Subject: From Hamilton 1

Dear Friend,

I am Mr. Greg Hamilton, a British attorney based in Manchester, United Kingdom,I am contacting
you concerning a deceased client and a French National until his untimely
death was a private oil consultant/contractor with the British Petroleum Company,
hereinafter shall be referred to as my client.

On the 3rd day of January 2004, my client and his wife along with their two children
were among the victims of Boeing 737 Egyptian Airliner that crashed into the Red Sea. You
can read more about the crash by visiting this website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3365769.stm

Presently, the deceased had a deposit valued at US$18,000,000.00(Eighteen Million
United States Dollars) and the bank/security finance company has issued me a notice to provide his next of kin or
beneficiary. Since I could not locate any of my late client's relatives for over
three (3) years now, I am seeking your consent to present you as the next of kin/beneficiary
to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account can be released to you.

I have worked out plan for achieving my aim of appointing a next of kin as well as
transferring the money abroad for us to share in the ratio of 50% for me, 35% for
you, and
we shall collectively donate 10% to any Charity organization, while 5% will be set
aside for any incurable expenses both local and international.

The money transfer paperwork will include a Certificate of origin so that the
receiving bank does not ask questions. The paperwork will also include proper certificate that the
fund being transferred is from non-criminal sources.

The transaction is guaranteed to succeed without any problem. All I need is your
trust and
confidence. Provide me with these information:
(1) Your phone and fax numbers.
(2) Your complete location address.

As soon as I hear from you, I shall provide you with further clarifications that you
may need to know.

I look forward to your response.

Thanks and best regards,

Greg Hamilton

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam