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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:
  • "demurrages " (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. )
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "million 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "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)
  • "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin 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.
  • princess_stelladossou@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: =?utf-8?q?Princes=20sstella=20Dossou?= <princessstella.dossou@yahoo.com.ve>
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:08:02 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: YOUR ASSISTANCE/INVESTMENT OFFER.


¡Tengo nueva dirección de correo!Ahora puedes escribirme a:princessstella.dossou@yahoo.com.ve



- Dear,Sir/Madam My name is Princess stella Dossou and my younger brother Prince william Dossou we are from Sierra Leonean but presently staying in Ghana,My late Father Mr.Dossou Adams and my mother mrs sarah dossou was killed during the Sierra Leonean Crisis. Before my late father's death,he was DIAMOND AND GOLD MERCHANT IN OUR COUNTRY Sierra Leonean and he deposit this consignment in security company in Ghana. my consignment contains 27million United States Dollars (US$27,000,000.00), the consignment is presently in the asia. The consignments get to asia through the help of Mr. Thomas Woods is one of the serior diplomatic officer from untied nation office here in Ghana. The fact is that Mr. Thomas Woods is supposed to have delivered these consignments to a man called DR STEVE BAKER in asia. When Mr.Thomas Woods arrive to deliver the consignments to him in the asia after clearing the consignment from the Airport, he call Dr STEVE Baker to tell him the description to is house for the delivery but his wife answered the call and told Mr.Thomas Woods that her husband Dr. Steve Baker had a fatal car accident which lead to his death a day before which i have the pictures that accident.Dr Steve Baker has already paid the demurrages from the security company, he paid for Bullion van that took the consignment to the airport and he paid for custom check report he also assisted us in getting SOME OF THE DOCUMENTS ,but unfortunately he died in a car accident, that was why Mr. Thomas Woods has to deposit the consignment with a warehouse over there in the asia and called us to informed us about what is happening for us to get another beneficiary for him to make the delivery of the consignments. So dear, with due respect we are seeking for your urgent assistance to help us receive our consignments which is already in asia so that i and my little brother can come over to continue our education, and you will help us for an a LUCRATIVE BUSINESS investment over there. Please do get back to us with your direct cell phone number and address so that we can forward you more details and the diplomat number for you to call him is presently in the asia now. Please when you call him you will tell him that you are calling in respect of Princess stella and Prince william Dossou's consignment that is in the asia. If Mr. Thomas Woods asks if you have discussed with me tell him that you have discussed with me immediately. So upon your kindly respond , I will give you the detailed information about it , you can contact me direct in my personalprivate Email Adderss(princess_stelladossou@yahoo.com) cell phone I would appreciate confidentiality and honesty in our correspondence. Your immediate response will be highly welcome I need your full information as soon as received my mail 1. Your full name 2. Your phone And fax number 3. Your adderss 4. Your age And Current occupation 5. A copy of identity Attached to Email Best Regards, Princess Stella & william dossou.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam