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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "please endeavor to " (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 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.
  • +31626415837 (Netherlands, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • prizeaward_44@yahoo.com.hk

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Arthur stewart" <olgahoffmann1@alice-dsl.de>
Reply-To: europeancharity644@yahoo.com.ar
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 05:46:45 +0100
Subject: Attn:YOU HAVE WON

Dear Sir/Madam,

NOTIFICATION FOR CASH AID.

You are required to expeditiously Contact the Executive Secretary below
for qualification documentation and processing of your claims, from Monday
through Sunday.

On contact with this officer, you'll be given your donation pin number
which you will use in collecting the funds.
Please endeavor to quote your Qualification numbers (N-121-6537,
G-001-06) in all discussions.

****************************************
Executive Secretary,
Mr.Arthur stewart
Tel:+31-626-415-837
Fax:+31-84-740-9260.
Email:prizeaward_44@yahoo.com.hk
*****************************************

On behalf of the Board kindly accept our warmest congratulations.
Yours Sincerely,

Mrs. Gordon JUlia
(Foundation officer)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam