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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "liberia" (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.
  
• 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.
  • frankchesson1987@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "frank chesson" <frankchesson2@gala.net>
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 07:24:03 +0200
Subject: From: Frank Chesson


From: Frank Chesson
Rue de Jardin,
Cocody,Abidjan
Cote D'Ivoire.
E-Mail: frankchesson1987@yahoo.com
Tel: 0022505154594
Dearest Beloved,

This is a proposal in context but actually an appeal soliciting for your
unreserved assistance in consummating an urgent transaction requiring
maximum confidence.

Though this approach appears desperate, I can assure you that whatever
questions you would need to ask or any other thing you will need to know
regarding this proposal will be adequately answered to give you a clearer
understanding of it, so as to arrive at a successful conclusion.

My name is Mr.Frank Chesson, the only son of General.Robert Doe chesson of
blessed memory, former Military Chief of The Republic of Liberia. My father
was recently jailed and later killed by the Government forces of President
Charles Taylor on trumped up charges of corruption, embezzlement,and the
mysterious charge of economy plunder which lead to his death.

The present government had forced my family out of Morovia to avoid
demonstration by my late father's supporters. I realized some reasonable
amount of money from various deals that my late father successfully
executed,during his regime as Army Chief of staff of Liberia. I have plans
to invest this money for my future investments on real estate and industrial
production.

I have carefully moved out these funds (US$3.5 million), before my father
was killed to a Deposit Company (apex bank)here in Cote De Ivoire and due to
the present war going on here in this Country, i deem it fit to transfer
this money out of this place to your country, although the Government is not
aware of this transaction since i intend to transfer the money secretly.
From past experiences, many people I had regarded as close friends has
capitalize on my family's travail to run away with must of my money.

In order to avert this negative development, I now seek your permission to
front you to the bank as my foreign partner to able the bank carry out the
transfer immediately into your account.

I am writing because when I deposited the money in the bank, I told them
that it belonged to a foreign business partner and my present position
(refugee)will not allow me to claim the fund. Consequently, I will present
you as the owner of the funds in the bank so you can be able to claim them
on my behalf. This is simple. I will like you to provide me immediately
with:

1. Your Full names
2. Contact address
3. Telephone and fax numbers respectively.

Once I receive these information, I will present same to the bank so that
they could arrange for all necessary documents putting you in place as the
new beneficiary.

The money will then be released to your bank account for us to share in the
ratio of 75% for myself and 25% for you. There is no risk whatsoever that is
been involved in this transaction as all the paperwork for this transaction
will be done by a solicitor and this will guarantees the successful
execution of this transaction.

If you are interested, please reply immediately via my email address. Upon
your response, i shall forward further explanation that will help you
understand the transaction fully.

No doubt this proposal will make you apprehensive, please i employ you to
observe utmost confidentiality and rest assured that this transaction would
be most profitable for both of us because i shall require your assistance to
invest my share in your country (buying of properties like houses, hotels
etc).

This is why your urgent action and response is of priority to enable us
concluding this transaction in a timely and professional manner.

Thanks and regards.
Mr.Frank chesson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam