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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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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:
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a orphan scam.
• 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.
  • +22567345726 (Cote d'Ivoire, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "MBATTA VIVIAN" <vivianmbatta.03@gmail.com>
Reply-To: vivianmbatta.1@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:46:36 +0000
Subject: RE: YOUR PRIVATE MESSAGE.


Dear Respectfully In The Lord,

My warmest greeting to you in the name of the Lord.

I am writing this letter with due respect and heartful of tears since we
have not known or met ourselves previously.

I am Miss Vivian Mbatta. and I inherited this sum from my late father who
died in recent crisis in Cote d'Ivoire. I wish to request for your
assistance in investing this sum in lucrative venture or manufacturing and
real estate management in your country. I have Three million,Five hundred
thousand United State Dollars. USD($3,500,000) to invest and I will require
your assistance in receiving the fund in your account. I will be glad to
give you some reasonable percent from the total sum for your assistance.
Before the death of my father on September 14/9/2005, he gave me all the
necessary legal documentation concerning the deposit of the fund in the
bank, I am 21 years old and a university undergraduate and really don't know
what to do. Now I want an account overseas where I can transfer this funds
and after the transaction I will come and reside permanently in your country
till such a time that it will be convinient for me to return back home if I
so desire. This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of
incessant political crisis here in Ivory coast. The death of my father
actually brought sorrow to my life. I also want to invest the fund under
your care because I am ignorant of business world.
I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards. Your
suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me to ask these
few questions:
1. Can you honestly help me from your heart?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you
after the money is in your account?
Please, consider this and get back to me as soon as possible. Immedaitely I
confirm your willingness, I will send to you my picture and also give you
more details about myself and the bank where my late father deposited the
fund, so that you can reach the bank and confirm the existence of the fund
as well, because seeing is believing.

Awaiting your immediate response and may God bless you.
Best Regards
Miss Vivian Mbatta.
+225 67 34 57 26

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam