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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
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• 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:

• 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:
  • "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. )
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "million us 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)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • mr_leowest@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "ANNA MARYM SMITH" <annasmith5@ig.com.br>
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:52:10 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION "YOU ARE THE NEXT OF KIN"


FROM: Mr Leo West.
Standard Trust Bank
lagos Nigeria.


Dear Sir or Madam,I am an Accountant with STANDARD TRUST BANK PLC.
(S.T.B),My name is Mr Leo West,an accountant. I am the personal Account
Manager to the Late Engr Andrew Haynes, who was a citizen of your country,
he used to work with an Oil Development company in Nigeria. Here in after
shall be referred to as my client. On Sept 11, 2001, my client, was among
the victims of the US terro attack in New York Trade Center,which he did not
survive it,his newly married wife was also remarried to another man.Since
then I have made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my
clients extended Relatives, this is also proved unsuccessful.After these
several unsuccessful attempts,i have to contact you through the internet to
assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client
before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this
huge deposites were lodged,particularly the STANDARD TRUST BANK PLC.


Where the deceased had an account Valued at about ($15 million u s
dollars),the bank has Issued me a notice to provide the next of kin, Or have
the account confiscated within the next ten official working days.Since I
have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 7 years now, I
seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased so that
the proceeds of this account valued at ($15 million us dollars) can be paid
to you and then you and me Can share the money,60% to me and 40% to you.


An attorney will be contacted to help revalidated and notarize all the
necessary legal documents that can be used to backup any claim we may make.
All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal
through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.


Please contact me with my private e-mail address:
mr_leowest@yahoo.com


Best regards
Mr Leo West.
(External Auditor Accountant)..

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam