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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• 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:
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Khan Zafar Habib <k.zhabib03@msn.com>
Reply-To: <khan.zafarhabib@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:49:16 +0000
Subject: Urgent!!!



Greetings,This letter must come to you as a big surprise, but I believe it isonly a day that people meet and become great friends and businesspartners. I am Zafar Habib Khan, Chief Investment Officer with areputable bank here in U. A. E. I write you this proposal in goodfaith, believing that I can trust you with the information I am aboutto reveal to you. I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you.On March 15, 2004, an Iraqi Foreign Oil consultant/contractor withthe CHEVRON PETROLEUM CORPORATION, Mohammed Bin Al Faroukmade a had a fixed deposit with my bank in 2004 for 36 calendar months,valued at US$17,500,000.00 (Seveteen Million, Five Hundred ThousandUS Dollars) the mature date for this deposit contract was this 14 of March2007. Sadly he was among the death victims in the May 26 2006 Earthquakedisaster in Jawa, Indonesia that killed over 5,000 people. He was inIndonesia on a business trip and that was how he met his end. My bankmanagement is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because hewas my friend and I am his account officer. Mohammed did not mention anyNext of Kin/Heir when the account was opened, and he was not marriedand no children. Last week my Bank Management requested that i shouldgive instructions on what to do about his funds as his account officer,if to renew the contract. I know this will happen and that is why I have been looking for ameans to handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happens toknow that Mohammed is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take thefunds for their personal use, so I don't want such to happen. That iswhy I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next ofKin/ Heir to the account and my bank headquarters will release theaccount to you. There is no risk involved; the transaction will beexecuted under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from anybreach of law.It is better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directorsto take it, they are rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I amsuggesting we share the funds equal, 50/50% to both parties, my sharewill assist me to start my own company which has been my dream. Let meknow your mind on this and please do treat this information as TOPSECRET. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgentresponse. Have a nice day and God bless.Anticipating your communication. Regards, Zafar Habib Khan.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam