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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:

• 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:
  • "a security company " (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. )
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a "dying merchant" 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.
  • fidelis_fernando002@yahoo.es (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "fidelis fernando" <fidelis_fernando@ig.com.br>
Reply-To: fidelis_fernando002@yahoo.es
Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:16:44 -0700
Subject: FROM:MR FIDELIS FERNANDO.


FROM:MR FIDELIS FERNANDO.
REAL ESTATE MANAGEMNET
SEN-AVDAS NACOES LOTE, BRAZIL.
fidelis_fernando002@yahoo.es

My Dear,

As you read this, I don?t want you to feel sorry for me, because, I believe
everyone will die someday.

My name is Mr. Fidelis Fernando, a merchant doing business in Asia and
middle East. I have been diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer, which was
discovered very late, due to my laxity in caring for my health. It has
defiled all forms of medicine, and right now I have only about a few months
to live, according to edictal experts in a private clinic here in London,
where I am presently lying on my sick bed waiting for death.I have not
particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone not
even myself but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I
was always hostile to people and only focus on my business as that was the
only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this, as I now know that there
is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the
world.

I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I will
live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that God has
called me, I have willed and given most of my properties and assets to my
immediate and extended family members and as well as a few close friends. I
want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul and so, I have decided to
give arms to charity organizations in the U.A.E, Algeria, Indonesia, India
and Malaysia. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this
myself any more. I once asked members of my family to close one of my
accounts and distribute the money, which I have there to charity
organization and to the less privileged in Bulgaria and Pakistan; they
refused and kept the money to themselves.Hence, I do not trust them any
more, as they seem not to be contented with what I have left for them.

The last of my money, which no one knows about, is the huge cash deposit of
Fifty Six Million US Dollars that I have, deposited with a security company
in London for safekeeping. I will want you to help me collect this deposit
and disburse it to some charity organizations and to the less privileged.The
contact of the security company in London would be given to you for enquiry
as soon as you indicate your interest to work with me and collect those
boxes.

But do not open up the content of the consignment to them, because the
consignment was deposited with them as CONFIDENTIAL FAMILY TREASURES, not
money for your information. Also mind you that the certificate of deposit
and the necessary document which will authorized them to open up
communication are with me.Please send me a mail to indicate if you will
assist me in this disbursement.I have set aside 30% for you, for your time
and patience.may God be with you and your entire family.
Please note: I am sending you this email secretly against my doctor?s advice
to remain incommunicado with anyone, as this will deteriorate my present
condition.

Remain blessed.
Mr. Fidelis Fernando.
fidelis_fernando002@yahoo.es

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam