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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:
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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:
  • "million pounds" (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)
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• 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.
  • +447045700709 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
  • +448709746618 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: Helen Weir <info2008hb@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: hwprivate@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 06:44:22 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: I need your assistance.


Lloyds TSB Group plc
25 Gresham Street London EC2V 7HN.

Greetings,

Following the recent announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling that all funds in accounts that have been dormant for over 15years be transferred to the Treasury. I discovered a dormant account in my office, as Group finance director with Lloyds Bank London.

It will be in my interest to transfer this fund worth Twenty Million Pounds Sterling in an account offshore. If you can be a collaborator/partner to this please indicate interest immediately for us to proceed.

Remember this is absolutely confidential, as I am seeking your assistance as the beneficiary of this unclaimed funds, since we are not allowed to operate a foreign account, Your contact phone numbers and name will be necessary for this effect, I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint me.

My Regards

Helen A Weir


Group Finance Director
Lloyds Bank London.
25 Gresham Street London EC2V 7HN
Tel: +44-704 570 0709
Fax: +44 870 974 6618

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam