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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million us 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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• 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.
  • barr_kwasi.godwin@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Barrkwasi Godwin <barr_kwasi.godwin@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: barr_kwasi_godwin@live.com
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:59:13 -0700 (PDT)
Subject:


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: barr_kwasi.godwin@yahoo.com



- Good Day, I am Barr. Godwin Kwasi an attorney to Late Jerri Fosmire, 48, Eugene , Oregon, He spent almost all his eternal life here in Accra Ghana , who used to work with Chevron Nigeria Limited.My client Hon. Jerri Fosmire, who unfortunately lost his life in the plane crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 which crashed on January 31 2000, including his Ghana wife and only daughter. You shall read more about the crash on visiting this Site. http://www.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list/ The board of directors of Wema Bank Plc Nigeria , were he operates have made several enquires to their embassy to locate any of my clients extended relations but to no avail. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by Ghana government, where this deposit were lodged because the Management has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated. Unfortunately, my late client did not drop even a name (next of kin) for me as the attorney before his untimely death. I believe you can stand as the next of kin. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating anyone all these years, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of late Jerri Fosmire, Cook so that the proceedings of this account valued at 4 (Four) million US dollars can be paid to your account. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement. Please write me immediately you get this mail. I do not have much time in disposal. You can stand as the next of kin as there won't be any security risk. Just confide in me. Waiting For Your Prompt Reply. Best Regards, Barr. Godwin Kwasi.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam