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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. )
  • "trunk box" (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)
  • "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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a orphan 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.
  • grace_hamson0020@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "grace hamson" <grace_hamson6@biz.by>
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:18:54 +0100
Subject: can you honestly help me as your daughter


My Dear,


grace_hamson0020@yahoo.com

I wish to let you know that my chosen you in this transaction is not carnal
but through the direction of God. I was praying and fasting for a reliable
and honest partner when you were spiritually introduced to me before I
decided to contact you to seek for your help.

I am Miss Grace Hamson ,17years old and the only daughter of my late parents
Mr.and Mrs.Hamson. My father was a highly reputable busnness magnet-(a cocoa
merchant)who operated in the capital of Ivory coast during his days.It is
sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his
business trips abroad in the year 12th.Febuary 2000.Though his sudden death
was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his
who travelled with him at that time.But God knows the truth! My mother died
when I was just 4 years old,and since then my father took me so special.

Before his death on Febuary 12th 2000 he called the secretary who
accompanied him to the hospital and told him that he has the sum of Twenty
Five million, five hundred thousand United State Dollars.(USD$25.500,000)
left in a security company in a mettalic trunk box,but the security company
didn't know the content because it was registered as family valuables for
security reasons.

He further told him that he deposited the money in my name,and finally
issued a written instruction to his lawyer whom he said is in possession of
all the necessary and legal documents to this fund deposited under the
security company. I am just 17 years old and a university undergraduate and
really don't know what to do Now I want an account overseas where I can
transfer this funds.
This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant
political crisis here in Ivory coast.The death of my father actually brought
sorrow to my life.Sir,I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in
this regards.Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded.

Now permit me to ask these few questions:-
1. Can you honestly help me as your daughter?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you
after the money is in your account?

Please,Consider this and get back to me as soon as
possible. send me an emails on grace_hamson0020@yahoo.com
Thank you so much.
My sincerely regards,
Miss Grace Hamson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam