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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "is highly confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "lome togo" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "J.WILLIAMS &-ASSOCIATE" <williamsassociateesq@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2008 07:11:17 -0800 (PST)
Subject: SEARCHING FOR THE RELATIVES FAMILY OF....................Alex Elbertsen


FROM THE DESK OF
JONES K.WILLIAMS (ESQ)

ATTN:Alex Elbertsen ,

Dear Sir,

PLEASE NOTE THIS MERSSAGE IS HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL.

I am Barrister JONES K.WILLIAMS, a solicitor at law, personal attorney to Engr. W.B.Elbertsen , a national Of your country,who used to be a contractor and importer here in Lome Togo. Here in after shall be referred to as my client. On the 14th of August 2004, my client,his wife and their only daughter were involved in a ghasty motor accident along Nouvissi express Road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of my clients extended family relatives, this is to no avail.
After these several unsuccessful attempts,I decided to track his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in repartrating the fund
valued at US$25.8 million left behind by my client before it gets confisicated or declared unserviceable by the BANK (U.T.B) where this huge amount were deposited.

The said Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have his account confisicated within the next twenty one official working days.

Since I have been unsuccesful in locating the relatives for over 18 months now, I seek the consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you have the same last names, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you.Therefore, on receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the sharing ratio and modalities for transfer.I have all necessary information and legal documents needed to back you up for claim. All I require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee that this attract no risk at all for it will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

On the receipt of your response i will furnish you with detailed clarification as it relates to this mutual benefit transaction.

Best Regards.
JONES K.WILLIAMS (ESQ)


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam