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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.

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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:
  • "million 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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "alex" <alexwilliams01_alex@centrum.sk>
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 04:55:31 +0200
Subject: WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON.


FROM BARRISTER Alex Williams.
WILLIAMS CHAMBERS / LAW FIRM.
LOCATED AT C/ 241.COTONOU REP.OF BENIN.
REPLY TO E-mail: (barralexw01@yahoo.in)
 
GREETING !
I beg for your pardon ,I am Barrister ALEX WILLIAMS( LLB.), personal attorney to Late Engr. John Shelpert Creek, a national of GERMANY, he is the owner of JOHNNY CONSTRUCTION COMPANY in Cotonou Benin, West Africa.He died on the 12th of July 2001, in a Motor accident along Lome To Benin road.My client Engr.John)deposited the sum of (US$12.7 Million Dollars Only),with (DIAMOND BANK COTONOU,BENIN).
This transaction is to handle with legal cover under which there is nothing to worry about, I need an assistance from you so that we can transfer the fund into your account for investment .Then you and myself can share the fund 60% to me, 40% to you.All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us seethis transaction goes through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect both of us from any breach of the law as it is 100% risk free,I was mandated by the bank to provide the next of kin to inherit the fund of my late client.I hereby advice you to keep this transaction secret to yourself alone.
Please urgently forward to me this below information to enable me submit to bank.
Your full name:....................
YourOccupation:......................
Your Age:............................
Your Phone number:.................................
Fax number:............................
Youremailaddress.....................
Country:...........................
Yours Truly,
Barrister Alex Williams( LLB ).
And please reply on this E-mail: (barralexw01@yahoo.in).
 
 

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam