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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "barrister_kweis_komelo_41 Gazeta.pl" <barrister_kweis_komelo_41@gazeta.pl>
Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 19:48:48 -0400
Subject: CONTACT MR.SAM MENSAH


Hello My Good Friend,

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family. You may not
understand why this mail came to you. But if you do not remember me, you
might have receive an email from me in the past regarding a
multi-million-dollar business proposal which we never concluded.

I am using this opportunity to inform you that I have successfully
transferred the fund out of my bank to my new partner's account with
Citigroup in London: www.citigroup.com for investment opportunities. I am
looking forward to negotiate some business investment opportunities here in
the UK.

Believe me, I have no idea exactly how much you spent so far in respect of
the transaction which includes your air ticket, hotel bill etc. I have left
a certified international bank draft for you worth of US$850,000.00 cashable
anywhere in the world with instruction to deliver to you before leaving to
London for my investment project.

My dear friend I will like you to contact my secretary Mr. Sam Mensah, at: (
rev_sammensah@yahoo.cn) for collection of your bank draft. You are also
required to furnish him with the below information:

1. FULL NAMES:
2. ADDRESS:
3. E-MAILADDRESS:
4. TELEPHONE NUMBER:

I authorized him to release the Bank cheque to you whenever you ask him for
it. Please, I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is
from the bottom of my heart.

Thanks and God bless you and your family.

Regards,
BARRISTER KWESI KOMELO
KOMELO CHAMBERS
Address #34, Kwame Nkuruma Circle Kanda way.
Phone: +233-27-6117866
Fax:+233-21-312457

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam