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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
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• 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:
  • "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)
  • "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• 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.
  • willsondukes@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "dukes willson" <willson9@livedoor.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:25:48 +0200
Subject: SGT WILLSON DUKES


*Dear ,

I am an American soldier, In foreign service with the Third infantry
Division in Iraq, I and my superior moved part of discovered funds belonging
to fleeing regime leaders in Iraq, the total amount is $25, 000,000.00 US
dollars.

This money is being kept safe in a secured location we would disclose to you
later. You can go through this web link to understand events that took
place in Iraq.

**http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm*<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm>
*
Basically, since we are in government service and we are not allowed to have
or keep discovered looted funds around us, we ha ve decided to look for
someone to help us relocate and keep this funds for us, that is why I have
contacted you, so that you can keep it for us in your safe account or
custody untill we complete our foreign service in Iraq.

You will take30%, while 70% will be for me and my partner.This business is
confidential, and it should not be discussed with anyone. There is no risk
involved whatsoever as it is only me and my partner that knows the present
location of the money.

If you are interested I will send you operational details, my job is to find
a good partner that we can trust and that will assist us. Can I trust you?
To ensure confidentiality, when you receive this letter,kindly reply me via
e-mail:willsondukes@yahoo.com<http://us.mc554.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=willsondukes@yahoo.com>
signifying
your interest including your phone and fax numbers for quick communication
and also your physical locational
address.

Respectfully,
Sgt willson dukes*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam