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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "trunk box" (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)
  • "trunk boxes" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: precious kita <preciousmakita02@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:04:17 +0000
Subject: FUND TRANSFER


Dear Sir/Madam,I know this might come to you in a surprising way but in a nutshell,My name is Precious,i am 17 years of age.The son of the former prime minister of Sudan, Mr. Joseph Malwal.He was killed along side with my Mother during the civil war in Sudan and all his properties were totally destroyed. However, after their death I managed to escape me and my younger Sister, with an important document -DEPOSIT CERTIFICATE of (US$18.5m) and (two Trunk boxes of Gold). The said sum was deposited by my late father in a Bank in Ghana. The deposit documents indicate me as the next of kin. Presently, I am saddled with the problem of securing a trust worthy foreign personality to help me as follows: (1) Stand on my behalf in Ghana as the beneficiary for the claim of the inheritance from the Bank since the Bank advised that I should solicit for an individual or corporate organization to claim the deposit for me as they cannot release it directly to me due to my age and refugee status in Ghana.(2)Transfer the money over to your own country and into your possession pending my arrival to meet with you.(3)Invest and manage the money for me in a good business pending my maturity.(4) Help me secure my traveling documents to meet you as soon as my money is released to you.I will make you a joint partner of 30% out of the total sum of $18.5m.Furthermore, on the acceptance and confirmation that you will help me, the letter of authority will be issued in your name that will enable the Bank to deal with you on my behalf. I am giving you this offers as mentioned with every confidence on your acceptance to assist, adopt us as yours and manage the money for us. Thanking you in advance for your anticipated and swift response on receipt this letter.Best RegardsPrecious M.Kita.
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam