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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
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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:
  • "the consignment" (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 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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 00:30:35 +0200
Subject: INFO ON MR. ABEL.


Hello ,

I have written an earlier mail to you but no response. In my first mail I
mentioned to you about my late client who deposited some fund with a
Security/Finance Company here in UK before he died in April 2003. He bears
the same surname with you.

Since his death I have received several letters from the Security/Finance
Company where he deposited the fund before his death, to provide his next of
kin or any of his relatives who can make claim to the funds before the end
of the year or the Security/Finance Company will be left with no option than
to confiscate the consignment and turn the money back to the state. As it
has been marked unclaimed for four years. I have conducted my personal
search to see if I can make contact with any of his relatives but without
success, it is in the course of my effort that I have to contact you.

I have closely checked and since you bear the same surname with my deceased
client it will be better to present you as the next of kin and the right
beneficiary of the funds in the account. The total sum left in the account
is $15M (Fifteen Million United States Dollars) I will provide you with
all the necessary legal backing that is required until this money is paid
out to you, and then we shall share it base on our agreement.
Do respond quick if you are interested or should you need further
clarification because we have no much time left.

Thanks and God bless.
Attorney Richard Coleman
London United Kingdom

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam