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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:
  • "dearest one," (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. )
  • "million united states 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)
  • "% will be for you" (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.)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "James Kessler" <mailbox101@mailbox.hu>
Reply-To: attorney.lawfirm@btinternet.com
Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 12:37:30 +0100
Subject: With Trust


Law Chamber Principal Attorney
James Kessler & Associates
44, Kofo Abayomi Avenue,
Victoria Island,
Lagos-Nigeria.

Dearest One,

Kindly accept my apology for sending unsolicited mail to you. I believe you
are a highly respected personality, considering the fact that I sourced your
profile from a human resource profile database on your country. Though, I do
not know to what extent you are familiar with events.

I am Barrister James Kessler, a Solicitor. I wish to notify you again that
you were listed as a beneficiary to a total sum of Fifteen Million United
States Dollars ($15Million USD) in the intent of the deceased (whose names
now withheld since this is our second letter to you) , Working in an oil
servicing Company in Nigeria. On the 21st of April 2004, his wife and their
three children were involved in a car accident along Abuja Express Road.

We contacted you because you bear the surname identity and therefore can
present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance since there is no written
will.

Our legal services aim to provide our private clients with a complete
service. We are happy to prepare wills, set-up and administer Trusts, carry
out the administration of estates and prepare and administer powers of
attorney. All the papers will be processed in your name and favor.

Particularly, the Finance House where the deceased deposited the US$15
Million (Fifteen Million United States Dollars only) knows me very well and
has ask me to present some one to claim the fund left my late client as they
all know I am his attorney.

Upon receipt of the fund, I will come over to your country to meet with you
for the disbursement of the fund and then you and I will share the money in
this order: 50% will be for me, 50% will be for you. I have all the
necessary legal documents that can back our claim we may make with the Bank.

All I require is your honest co-operation 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.

Yours in Service,
James Kessler

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam