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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: owen vennesa <vennesaowen@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <owen_vennesa@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:52:17 +0000
Subject: call to charity



Good day,

I have not considered this medium to be the best
manner to have approached you on this issue.But I have
decided to take the chance owing to the less time I
have.

I am Vennesa Owen from Bolton England.I am a 76 year
old childless widow. Recently, my Doctor told me that
I would not last for the next 3 months due to my
cancer ailment.

When my late husband was alive we both deposited the
sum of $7.8Million (Seven Million Eight hundred
thousand U.S. Dollars) with a security company here in
England.

I want a capable organization or an individual that
can clear this amount from the security company and
use this fund for orphanages, widows, propagating the
word of God and to endeavor that the house of God is
maintained in my name.

The Bible made us to understand that blessed is the
hand that giveth. I took this decision because I don't
have a child that will inherit this money and I HAVE
TO TELL YOU THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND ME ARE WAITING
FOR THE DAY THAT I SHALL CLOSE MY EYES IN DEATH AND
THEY WILL MAKE A RAMPAGE OF MY WEALTH.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall inform my
family attorney who is presently in London UK here for
further instructions as to how you shall take over the
funds and his chambers would monitor the establishment
of the ventures to the Glory of God almighty.

Please also assure me that you will act accordingly as
I stated herein.

Mrs Vennesa owen

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam