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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "trunk box" (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)
  • "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: tony confidential <mrtony_confidential1@yahoo.ca>
Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 18:57:18 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: A Plead For Assistance


From: Mr Tony Williams
Abidjan Cote ´Ivoire,

I am Mr Tony Williams from Liberia. the son to Cheif Dr Konsongo Williams who worked with our Embassy in France for nine years before he died on 10th of Novermber year 2001. He died after a brief illness that lasted for one month. Before his death he call me and my younger sister Esther gave us Some Vital Documents that the Security company Issused to him on the day he deposited the Sum Of U.S$25.3 MILLION (TWENTY FIVE MILLION THREE HUNDRED THOSAND UNITED STATED DOLLARS) IN ONE METALIC TRUNK BOX.
He deposited this money with his Lawyer Mohammed Kqudan & Associates in a Secure Security Company here in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire,he Told us that he did not made the Security Company know the real Content of the Trunk Box even Mohammed Kqudan & Associates.

We are taking this decision now to moved out from West Africa with this money we don't want any of our family member to know about this development because this is our only hope and furture.there is much political crisis going on here in west Africa.

Please We will like you to Prepare your travelling documents come down here in Abidjan both of us will go and claim the trunk box out from the Security Company.

Presently now this money is still in the custody of the Security Company and you are the only person that we made to know that the really content of the Trunk Box so you have to keep this top Secret.
We know that With God all things are possible,Kindly send to us your TEL:FAX N° and your Home Address.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the deposit information and also issue a letter of authorisation to the Security Company that will prove you are the present beneficiary of the Deposited Consignment.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein.Me and My Sister Esther promise as you will help us to claim out this money we will offer you 30% from the total amount and use 5% for orphanages and the rest we will be invested on your behalf there in your country.Please we don't know if your country have a good English School.

Your's Sincerely

Tony and Esther Williams


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam