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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:
  • "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. )
  • "hundred thousand u.s 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 "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Madam Vannesa Owen \(Mrs\)." <madamowenv1@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: madamowenv@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:33:33 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Good Day


Good Day,

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

When my husband was alive he deposited the sum of $2.8 Million (Two Million Eight hundred thousand U.S Dollars) with a security company here in England in my name.

I want a capable organization or an individual that can clear this funds from the security company and invest this fund on orphanages, widows, the poor,the
destitute,the handicapped and the elderly in your area.In short I want it to be used for the betterment of humanity.

As true Christian, my Bible made me 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 he would monitor the establishment of the charity ventures to the Glory of God almighty.

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

Madam Owen Vannesa.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam