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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)
  • "a security company " (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. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: James Peters <mrjpeters01@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mrjamespeters@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2007 14:15:33 -0800 (PST)
Subject: PROJECT INVESTMENT


Dear Friend

I crave your indulgence as i contact you in such a surprising manner, But i respectfully insist you read this email carefully as i am optimistic it will open doors for unimaginable financial reward for both of us.l beg you to treat this information with utmost confidentiality. Permit me to introduce myself, l am Mr, James Peters from republic of Togo the son of late Dr,Adebayor Peters.

l contacted you because i want to invest on a good business in your country,l will give you 10% of the total fund or you can partner with me on that basis.l have the sum of $4.5m ready for an investment. The fund was deposited in a security company here in republic of Togo by my late father, My most concern is to get a foreign business partner who will come down to Togo to sign all the papers for me.

You do not require to come with any money or any upfront payment, Just get your flight ticket. according to law here it is only a foreign business partner that can get the consignment released for me.


Please if you wish to partner with me kindly reply, l will call you after our discussion you will arrange date and fly down. You can take Air France at the port of entry you will have a free visa to Togo,l will be waiting with my family attorney to receive you.This business is 100% risk free and does not require any upfront payment from you. your safety is highly guaranteed.

Thanks for your cooperation as i hopefully anticipate your response.

Mr James Peters


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Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
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Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam