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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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 united state 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "is 100% risk free" (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: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: sgt_frenchalfared@yahoo.de
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:19:11 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Information From Abul Uruj, Baghdad, Iraq.


Dear Sir, 

My name is Sgt. Afared R. French, I am an American Soldier, serving in the military with the army's 3rd infantry division. With a very desperate need for assistance, I have summed up courage to contact you. I found your contact particulars in an address journal.
 
I am seeking your kind assistance to move the sum of ( $22 Million U.S. Dollars ) Twenty Two Million United State Dollars to you based on trust, as far as I can be assured that my share will be safe in your care until I complete my service here, this is not stolen money and as such, there are no danger attached to it.

SOURCE OF MONEY:
 
View this Webpage: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
 
Some money in various currencies was discovered in barrels at a farmhouse near one of Late SADDAM'S old palaces in TIKRIT-IRAQ during a rescue operation, and it was agreed by staff Sgt Kenneth buff and I that some part of this money be shared among both of us before informing anybody about it since both of us saw the money first. I thought it that no compensation can make up for the risk we have taken with our lives in this hell hole, Of which my brother in-law was killed by a road side bomb.

The above figure was given to me as my own share, and to conceal this kind of money became a problem for me, so with the help of a British contact working here and his office enjoys some immunity, I was able to have the funds package out to a safe location entirely out of trouble spot. He does not know the real contents of the package, and believes that it belongs to a British/American medical doctor who died in a raid here in Iraq, and before giving up, trusted me to hand over the package to his family.

Now this where your service is required, if you are willing to assist me in this matter, the money has been packaged as family valuables and it will be delivered to you in your country in two days, if you are willing to assist me in this venture you are advised to get back to me with your complete contact information which will be forwarded to the British International Immunity who is carrying the said Packaged Monies.

He will contact you on your direct phone number for confirmation, before proceeding to country for delivery. Note that it is not a must that you should assist me in this transaction, but if you are willing and sincere to help me out in this great opportunity, be rest assured that it is 100% risk free and it does not contradict the laws of any country.

Indicate your interest in assisting me as well as Providing the following information to facilitate the smooth conclusion of the Transaction:
 
1) Your Full Name: ------------------------------------------
2) Your Address: ---------------------------------------------
3) Your Telephone Number: ---------------------------
4) Your Mobile Number: --------------------------------------
5) Your Fax Number: ---------------------------------
6) The Name of the Closest Airport to your City of Residence: --------------------

One passionate appeal I will make to you is not to discuss this matter with anybody, should you have reasons to reject this offer, please and please destroy this message as any leakage of this information will be too bad for us soldiers here in Iraq. I do not know how long we will remain here, and i have been shot, wounded and survived two suicide bomb attacks by the special grace of God, this and other reasons i will mention later has prompted me to reach out for help, I honestly want this matter to be resolved immediately, please contact me as soon as possible via email.

I also want you to tell me how much you will take from this money for the assistance you will render to me. God Bless You as I wait your favourable response.
 
Truly Yours,
 
Sergeant Alfared R. French.
Camp MXP-512 Third Infantry Division Unit(T.I.D.U),
Abul Uruj, Baghdad, Iraq.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam