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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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. )
  • "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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "donald mcmahon" <donaldmcmahon001@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:16:38 +0100
Subject: Private letter read and get back to me asap..


Dear Pls

MY Name is Mr. Donald McMahon Jnr, the son of Late Mr. Donald McMahon of
Zimbabwe.
It might be a surprise to you where I got your contact address; I got it
from the internet when i was searching for a honest person. Don't be worried
because I am contacting you in good faith.

During the crisis against the farmers of Zimbabwe by the supporters of our
President Robert Mugabe to claim all the white owned farms in our country,

he ordered all the white farmers to surrender their farms to his party
members and their followers. my father Donald was one of the best farmers in
the country and knowing that he did not support the President political
ideology, the president supporters
invaded my father's farm and burnt down everything, killed him and my mother
confiscated all his investments.

I will like you to take a look on these website
http://www.rte.ie/news/2000/0418/zimbabwe.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/918781.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/715001.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1063785.stm

Before this unpleasant incident, my father and my mother had already visited
Cotonu-Benin deposit the sum of Ten Million United States Dollars($10M) in
the safe vault of a Security company here in Cotonu-Benin.

This action was taken because my Mr Donald McMahon felt the growing tension
on the farm issue but I guess he never anticipated the tragedy that brought
their brutal and sudden death.

At the time of deposition, the real content was not disclosed to the
security officials, instead, it was deposited as Family Valuables.

After the bloody incident, I had to escape out of my country for the safety
of my
lives. i seek refuge in Cotonu-Benin and i am permitted to reside here as
Political Refugees under section (5.9) of their Constitution.

Because of my present and unpleasant status, I am contacting you to assist
me to retrieve this consignment from the security company here in
Cotonu-Benin where this consignment is now.

If my proposition is considered, for assisting me to move this money to your
country, i will offer you 30% of the total sum, and after the successful of
the consignment to your country.70% will be for me to buy shares in your
company or investing in your country under your supervision and buy house
over there. and start new life again and i forget my past sorrow in Africa.

I would appreciate confidentiality and honesty in our correspondence.Your
immediate response will be highly welcomed.

I am wait your urgent reply.


Donald McMahon Jnr.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam