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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2341702850867 (Nigeria, landline)
• 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.
  • johnuzo96@centrum.cz (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "mrjohnuzo5@gazeta.pl" <mrjohnuzo5@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: johnuzo96@centrum.cz
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2008 06:54:22 +0100
Subject: YOUR FAMILY INHERITANCE RESPOND ASAP


UZO LAW FIRM
SOLICITORS AND ADVOCATE
NO 10 PHILIP STREET,
LAGOS NIGERIA.
TELEPHONE:+234-1-7028508674
Email: johnuzo96@centrum.cz



Hello,


Bearing in mind the nature of the content of this letter
coming from a person without any referral,I apologize for
any inconvenience,but please read and objectively consider
if we can work together.

I am Barrister John Uzo,a legal practitioner,this involves
a foreign client of mine,Late Mr. Peter,who shared the
same last name with you and died as the result of a
heart-related condition on the 11 November 2001.His heart
condition was due to the death of all the members of his
family in the Gulf Air Flight Crashes in Persian Gulf near
Bahrain Aired August 23,2000 - 2:50p.m.ET as reported

My client had an investment on fixed deposit of value
$16,000,000.00 UNITED STATES DOLLARS deposited in a
private bank here with no nominated successor in title
over this investment.This bank has issued me a notice to
contact the next of kin,or the account will be confiscated
and I want you to assist in distributing the money left
behind by my client otherwise it will be sent to the
treasury by the bank.

I am assuring that this transction is legal and totally
risk free means through which the fund can be released to
you within a very short time after due documentation and
authentication process.The strategy is to use my position
and influence as the lawyer of the deceased to present you
as a next of Kin and beneficiary of the deposit so that
the proceeds of this account can be paid to you.

I want to assure you that I have concluded all local
modalities for the successful completion of this within 10
banking days of your agreement to proceed with me as the
required assistance are perfected to be safe and without
any breach of law.

Please contact me at once to indicate your interest.I will
like you to acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail as soon
as possible via my private EMAIL:(johnuzo96@centrum.cz)
and treat with absolute confidentiality and sincerity.I
look forward to your quick reply.

Yours truly,
Barrister John Uzo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam