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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:
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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)
  • "from the desk of" (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 us 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.

Fraud email example:

From: afam james <a.fam.007@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <wisely@myway.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:31:12 +0100
Subject: BE THE NEXT OF KIN



FROM THE DESK OF:BARRISTER AFAMAFAM & ASSOCIATES.No. 20, BURMA ROAD APAPALAGOS - NIGERIA. Dear Sir/MadamMy name is Barrister Afam {SAN} . I am the personal Attorney to late Engineer Warren a National of your country, who used to work with shell Development company in Nigeria Here in after shall be referred to as my client On MAY 6th 2003, my client, his wife, and their three children were involved in a car accident along Sagamu express way. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended Relatives,this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his last name overthe Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you. I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money deposited by my client before they the bank confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged, particularly the Bank. Where the deceased had an account Valued at about ($16 Million US Dollars) has Issued me a notice to provide the next of kin. Or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days.Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at ($16 Million U S Dollars can be paid to you and then you and me Can share the money.60% for me and 40% for you. I will revalidated andnotarize all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim wemay 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. If this proposal is accepted by you. 1.Your full name and address 2 Your tel and fax number and call me on above telephone number to enable me prepare letter of claim and apply to Bank before I will go to Federal Ministry of justice to secure all legal and official documents with your nameas the next of kin to enable the bank release this fund to you Send the information require to proceed. Best RegardsBarr. Afam
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam