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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
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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:
  • "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 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)
  • "barrister" (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 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.
  • +2348036320443 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: ken offor <kenoffor66@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <ken01offor@myway.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:33:15 +0100
Subject: VERY CONFIDENTIAL


BARRISTER KEN OFFOR
SUPREMECHAMBERS
42 KOFI ABOYOMI ST./CALCUTA CRESCENT
APAPA-LAGOS.

Dear,

This letter is not intended to cause any embarrassment in whatever form,rather it is intended to contact your esteemed self, following the knowledge of your high repute and trust worthiness.
Firstly,I must solicit your confidentiality.I know that a proposal of this magnitude will make anyone apprehensive and worried,but I am assuring you that it is made in good faith and will be of mutual benefit.

I am Ken Offor, Esq, the personal attorney to Mr. Andrew Smith, hereinafter referred to as my client, a national of your country, who used to work with National Oil Plc.My client and his entire family were involved in a plane crash,Over 76 passengers died in the incidence,unfortunately my friend and his family lost their lives.
My client {Smith} deposited as family belongings in a CONSIGNMENT (ie jewelries} with the value of $12,500,000.00 at a Finance Company here in Nigeria for himself, with the hope of transferring it to his country as soon as he is on leave.

After these several unsuccessful attempts,I decided to contact you. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit were lodged.Particularly,the
FINANCE COMPANY where the deceased had a TRUST ACCOUNT valued at about 12.5Million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next twenty one official working days.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2years now I seek your consent to present you as the Next Of Kin of the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at 12.5Million dollars can be paid to you and then you and i can share the money . I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to backup any claim we may make.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
Please do acknowledge your acceptance by forwarding the following to me:Your fullname ,your private telephone and fax numbers and get in touch with me on my CONFIDENTIAL .+2348036320443.
Best regards,

KEN OFFOR (esq)
_________________________________________________________________
Explore the seven wonders of the world
http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=7+wonders+world&mkt=en-US&form=QBRE

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam