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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • secretary_office_benin@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: rosemary mann <rose_mann2007@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2007 09:20:04 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: What a LONG TIME.......CONTACT HER NOW!!!


Dear friend

I wish to inform you that I concluded this transaction suscessfully with a British lady and I am currently residing in London with my family.I would like to compensate you with the sum of US$1.200,000.00 for your efforts in trying to assist me with this transaction though it did not work out between us but still I have drop a (cheque in bank draft) with my personal secretary by name RHODA SMITH, I did this out of sympathy for your efforts and I hope you will be satisfied afterall,despite the fact that you did not believe me.
I advise you to contact her immediately through this e-mail address: secretary_office_benin@yahoo.co.uk for the delivery of the bank draft to you.I hope you will have a nice life with my token of compensation for your efforts and God bless you.

Regards
Rose Mann



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam