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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:

• 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:
  • "million pounds" (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)
• 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.
  • lionelbells6@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Lionel Bells" <liob2@gala.net>
Reply-To: lionelbells6@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2008 12:44:26 +0200
Subject: Very important


Dear,

Please accept my sincere apologizesif my email does not meet your business
or personal ethics. I willfirst introduce myself as Lionel Bells an auditor
with a bank inUnited Kingdom. One of our accounts, with holding balance of
£10,000 000.00 (Ten Million pounds Sterling) has been dormant and
lastoperated many years ago.

Nobody has done anything as regards theclaiming of this money, because the
account owner has no family memberor friends that has any knowledge as to
the existence of either theaccount or the funds; I have decided to find a
reliable foreignpartner to deal with.

My proposition to you, is to seek your consent topresent you as the Next of
kin and beneficiary of this late client, So that the proceeds of this
account valued a huge sum shall be paid to you, and then we can share the
amount on a mutually agreed percentage.

This transaction is totally free of risk and troubles asthe fund is
legitimate and does not originate from drug, moneylaundry, terrorism or any
other illegal act, funds will be released toyou after necessary processes
have been followed. Let me hear from youas soon as you get this message, so
we can proceed. Reach me on my direct E-mail;( lionelbells6@yahoo.com.hk )

Bestregards,
Mr Lionel Bells

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam