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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "you will be entitled to 30%" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • robertowen@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Owen Robert" <robertowen@mailbox.hu>
Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 02:49:15 -0700
Subject: I PLEAD FOR YOUR CONSENT


*

FROM MR.ROBERT OWEN.
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT,
FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT,
BANQUE TOGOLAISE POUR LE COMMERCE ET L'INDUSTRIE,
LOME- TOGO.

Dear Friend,

I am Mr. Robert Owen, the head of auditing and accounting section of
International Bank of Africa Lome-Togo, with due respect and regard, I have
decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be a very
lucrative one to both of us at the end of the transaction.
During our investigation and auditing in this bank, my department came
across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who died on
26th December 2004 in Tsunami that happened in SumatraIsland, Indonesia.From
the information that our bank have gotten so far, the Tsunami killed him
with his entire family and no none relation have been identified. The person
that he used as his next of kin was his 17 years old son who died along side
with the family.

Although personally, I keep this information secret within myself to enable
the whole plans and idea be Profitable and successful during the time of
execution. The said amount was (U.S$5.2M UNITED STATES DOLLARS). Meanwhile
all the whole arrangement to put claim over this fund as the Bonafide next
of kin to the deceased get the required approval and transfer this money to
a foreign account has been put in place and directivesand needed information
will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your interest and willingness
to assist me and also benefit your self to this great business opportunity.

I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. On
smooth conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 30% of the
total sum as gratification, while 10% will be set aside to take care of
expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone
bills, while 60% will be for me. Please, you have been advised to keep it as
a "top secret" as I am still in service and intend to retire from service
after I conclude this deal with you.

Please contact me via email: robertowen@myway.com

Yours faithfully,
Mr. Robert Owen.
*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam