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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • "time is not on my side" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "abidjan" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "sandraa01 Gazeta.pl" <sandraa01@gazeta.pl>
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2008 10:28:33 +0200
Subject: From:Ms Sandra Adel


*From:Ms Sandra Adel*

*Dearest One,*

*With warm heart I offer my friendship, and greetings, and I hope this mail
meets you in good time. However strange or surprising this contact might
seem to
you, as we have not met personally or had any dealings in the past.*

*I humbly ask that you take due consideration of its importance and immense
benefit. My name is Ms. Sandra Adel, from Sierra-Leone. I have a reasonable
amount
of money inherited from my late father (Eleven Million, Eight Hundred
Thousand United State Dollars only}.
I want to invest in your country with a very honest person and again in a
very profitable venture. And you being in a business line and for your
country been so peaceful i think you are in a good position to assist me.*

*Furthermore, since the money was deposited in a vault of a bank here in
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire by my late father on behalf of his foreign business
partner. As the bank has refused to entertain my claims on the money unless
i provide this my late father's foreign partner. I need you to come in as
my late father's foreign partner for us to officially put a claim on the
(money), immediatey we do this the money will be transfered abroad for
onward investment(s).*

*Your percentage on all these activities will be
considered on mutual agreement. I'm in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, protected
under refugee status. I need your assurance that you shall not take an undue
advantage over my inexperience or situation here.*

*Time is not on my side, i will appreciate if you can get intouch with me as
soon as you receive this letter so that i can give you more information
about my proposal.*

*Thanks and God bless, I'm looking forward to hear from you.*

*Warmest regards,
Ms Sandra Adel
*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam