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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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "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.)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +2348025222207 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "From Barrister William Johnson"<contact_infor@excite.com>
Reply-To: chamberss208@yahoo.es
Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2007 07:22:06 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Urgent Next of Kin Needed


BARRISTER WILLIAM JOHNSON AT-LAW(EQUAL RIGHT CHAMBERS)SOLICITORS &amp; ADVOCATES, NOTARY PUBLIC NO:5 ISOLO EXPRESS WAY LAGOS NIGERIA. OFFICE TELEPHONE +2348025222207, RC: 47034 OUR REF: JUSTICE/FG2007 DEAR GOOD FRIEND,I AM BARRISTER WILLIAM JOHNSON {SAN} A SOLICITOR AT LAW. I AM THE PERSONAL ATTORNEY TO MR.LAWRINCE SHANE, A NATIONAL OF YOUR COUNTRY, WHO LIVED IN NIGERIA, HERE IN AFTER SHALL BE REFERRED TO AS MY CLIENT. ON THE 21ST OF APRIL 2004, MY CLIENT WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ALONG SAGBAMA EXPRESS ROAD. ALL OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE UNFORTUNATELYLOST THEIR LIVES.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 WAS LODGED.PARTICULARLY, THE BANK WHERE THE DECEASED HAD AN ACCOUNT VALUED AT ABOUT 9.5 MILLION DOLLARS HAS ISSUED ME A NOTICE TO PROVIDE THE BENEFICIARY OR HAVE THE ACCOUNT CONFISCATED WITHIN THE NEXT TWENTY OFFICIAL WORKING
DAYS SINCE I HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN LOCATING THE RELATIVES, I NOW SEEK YOUR CONSENT TO PRESENT YOU AS THE BENEFICIARY OF THE DECEASED OF THIS ACCOUNT VALUED AT 9.5 MILLION DOLLARS CAN BE PAID TO YOU. IF YOU AGREE, WE CAN DISCUSS YOUR PERCENTAGE. I HAVE ALL NECESSARY LEGAL DOCUMENTS THAT CAN BEUSED TO BACK UP ANY CLAIM WE MAY MAKE.ALL I REQUIRE IS YOUR HONEST COOPERATION TO ENABLE US SEEING THIS DEAL THROUGH. I GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL BE EXECUTED UNDER A LEGITIMATE ARRANGEMENT THAT WILL PROTECT YOU FROM ANY BREACH OF THE LAW. PLS I WILL LIKE YOU TO SEND ME YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS, PRIVATE TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBER FOR EASY COMMUNICATION.BEST REGARDS, BARRUISTER WILLIAM JOHNSON (ESQ)DIRECT LINE:+2348025222207

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam