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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "huge sum of money" (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 states 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)
  • "you will be entitled to 30%" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "ahmed muhammed" <ahmed_muhammed020@superposta.com>
Reply-To: ahmed_muhamm@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:45:08 +0200
Subject: TOP SECRET


AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT.
BANK OF AFRICA.

(TOP SECRET)
Dear friend ,
I am MR.AHMED MUHAMMED, the Manager incharge of auditing and accounting
section of Bank of Africa(BOA)Ouagadougou Burkina-faso West Africa with due
respect and regard.I have decided to contact you on a business transaction
that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end of the transaction.

During our investigation and auditing in this bank, my department came
across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who died on
July 2003 in a plane crash and the fund has been dormant in his account with
this Bank without any claim of the fund in our custody either from his
family or relation before our discovery to this development. The said amount
was U.S $16.2M (Sixteen million two hundred thousand United States dollars).
Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put claimoverthis fund as the
bonafide next of kin to the deceased, get the required approval and transfer
this money to a foreign account has beenput inplace and directives and
needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your
interest and willingness to assist me and also benefit your self to this
great business opportunity.You Can Confirm The Deceased Death by viewing
this site below.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/07/20/kenya.crash/index.html


In fact I could have done this deal alone but because of my position in this
country as a civil servant(A Banker),we are not allowed to operate a foreign
account and would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the time of
transfer because I work in this bank.This is the actual reason why it will
require a second party or fellow who will forward claims as the next of kin
with application of trust of oath to the Bank and also nominate a foreign
account where he will need the money to be transfered into on your request
as it may be after due verification and clarification by the bank.

I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. On
smooth conclusion of this transaction,you will be entitled to 30% of the
total sum as gratification, while 5% will be set aside to take care of
expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone
bills,while 65% will be for me. Please, you have been adviced to keep
this"top secret" as I am still in service and intend to retire from service
after we conclude this deal with you.

All other necessary vital information will be sent to you when I hear from
you like text of application which you will re-type and send to my bank
either by fax or bank email for approval to take place.


Yours faithfully,
MR.AHMED MUHAMMED.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam