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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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• How to report 419 spam to us
• 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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "stay blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Maria Stevens" <m.stevs392@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mariastevens019@live.com>
Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 03:10:33 +0000
Subject: MORE DETAILS.




My Dear Friend,

Thank you very much to your reply. I am sorry I could not be able to use my former email due to excessive spam emails I receive daily and wish to advise you to email me back using my personal/private email for security reasons.

I will be grateful to receive your contact information that will enable my lawyer to proceed with the release of the boxes to your address. Kindly specify if you can be able to travel to Europe maybe I will further advise the country where the boxes are Deposited because should anything happens to my family funds, I will surely commit suicide as I do not have other hope left to me. after the death of my late Husband Mr. David Yendall Stevens.

I am hoping to your immediate reply soonest.

Thanks and stay blessed in God.

Mrs. Maria Stevens

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam