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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a "dying widow" 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.
  • rebeccakenedy@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2008 17:11:17 +0100
Subject: Greetings to you.


Dear Friend,



My name is Mrs. Rebecca, widow to Late ENGR Robert F. Kennedy, former
managing director of Duramex Petroleum PLC .I am 68years old, suffering from
long time cancer of the breast. From all indications my condition is really
deteriorating and it's quite obvious that I won't live more than 2 months
according to my doctors. This is because the cancer stage has gotten to a
very bad stage. I don't want your pity but I need your trust.



My late husband died early last year from heart attack, and during the
period of our marriage we couldn't produce any child. My late husband was
very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his business and wealth.
The doctor has advised me that I will not live for more than 2 months, so I
have now decided to spread all my wealth, to contribute mainly to the
development of charity .I am sorry if you are embarrassed by my mail.

Before my late husband died he made fixed deposited the sum of $5 million
dollars (Fix million United States dollars) in a safe keeping company here
in Benin Republic, some years ago, that's all I have left now and I need you
to collect this funds and distribute it yourself to charity and invest the
remaining for my only adopted lovely child who is just 14years old Girl
(Miss Tanty) in your country pending when she will be matured enough to join
the business.



So that when I die my soul can rest in peace. The funds will be entirely in
your care and management. I hope God will give you the wisdom to touch very
many lives that is my main concern.



Please reply urgently to my private Email:*
*rebeccakenedy@hotmail.com<http://us.mc530.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=rebeccakenedy@hotmail.com>
So that I will inform you what to do and the next step.

Mrs. Rebecca Kennedy

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam