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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "contract review panel" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +27731955575 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: jonathan nkosi <jonathan-kosi2@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <qurity77@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2007 00:12:48 +0200
Subject: ZIMBABWEAN BUSINESS CONTACT URGENT



>From Mr. Jonathan Nkosi
TEL: +27 73 195-5575
FAX: +27 11 507 6930
Email-jonathan-kosi2hotmail.com

Sir,URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSALI was the chairman of contract review panel in my country before the problem of the land reform program in my country Zimbabwe. Before the escalation of the situation in Zimbabwe I recovered $22.5.8Million US dollars from over inflated contracts by some government officials.But I was a member of the opposition party the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change), and the ruling Party, (ZANU PF) has been against us. So I had to flee the country for a neighbouring African Country that I am currently residing.Before the escalation of the situation in Zimbabwe I had not reported the recovery of my findings to the panel. So this money was in my possession and I lodged it in a security company here in Africa and currently this money has been moved to their security branch in Europe.I have been trying to fly to Europe but it has been difficult for me to get a visa from Africa. So I want you to help me make claims of this fund ($22.5m) in Europe as my beneficiary and transfer the money to your account or any account of your choice before I can get a visa.I have agreed to give you 10%, which would be ($22.5 Million dollars) of this Money for your assistance, and 87% would be mine and the other 3% would be set aside for any expenses that we may incure during the course of this transaction. And you would invest part of my 87% in your country in any profitable business proposed. While a large part of my share will be also be used to help the suffering people of my country Zimbabwe.We have never met, but I want to trust you and please do not let me down when this fund finally gets into your account. Please if you are interested, get to me through my email address to enable me feed you with more details and all necessary documentations.Please treat this as confidentialBest regards.NOTE: YOU CAN READ ABOUT PROBLEMS IN ZIMBABWE FROM THE LINKS BELOWhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/918781.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/715001.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1063785.stm

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam