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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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "is 100% risk-free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Christopher Adams <chrisadams06@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <christopheradams02@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2007 21:02:22 +0000
Subject: A CONFIDENTIAL DEAL(PLS YOUR CONTACT)




From Mr.Christopher Adams.Fund Release Order Dept.Abidjan-Cote D'Ivoire.
Dear Friend, I am Mr.Christopher Adams Working in department of Fund Release Order Cote D'Ivoire,I know this letter might come to you as surprise,but take it like your own deal. Engr.Siawosh Melik from Iran executed contract through Federal Ministry of Works & Housing here in Cote D'Ivoire,the contract worth of(US$17.5M)but on the process of transferring the money to him,he died with his family in earthquake disaster that occurred recently in Iran.
Meanwhile, his money has been assigned to be paid through my office before I will give order to the final endorsement of his money.Nobody knows what is going on except I and one of my colleague.

Therefore,late Engr.Melik's information will be furnished to you base on your willingness.You will have to act as the beneficiary of this fund, Since I have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives,I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased so that the US$17.5M Dollars can be paid into your account so that you and I can share the money according to the agreed ratio.I will send to you the whole relevant information that required in this transaction immediately you accept to co-operate with me.
Send to me your:
1. Your privates phone and fax2. Name of your company if any to enable us start the deal immediately,I have decided to give you 30% of this money and 5% for Homeless in Iran while 5 % will be for motherless babies here.
This is 100% risk-free. Meanwhile,I will be going to my retirement very soon, so need this money to take care of my family in future, am waiting your urgent reply.
God blesses you.
Yours truly,
Mr.Christopher Adams
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam