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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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• 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:
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
• 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.
  • +447045787160 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • drstevastyl@aim.com

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:53:30 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Claim My Will.............Mrs Janet Brown


Greetings,
My name is Mrs Janet Brown,I have decided to donate what I have to you.I was diagnosed for cancer for about few weeks ago.I have been touched by God to donate from what I have inherited from my late husband to the you for the good work of God/needy,I decided to WILL/donate the sum of $10,000,000 =USD to you. Contact my Physican Dr Steve Astyl with this specified email; { drstevastyl@aim.com } Tel +44 70457 87160, and tell him that I have WILLED $10,000,000 =USD, my personal ref number law/WILL/9834520012.I know I dont know you but I have been directed to do this.Thanks and God bless.I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this matter until the task is accomplished as I don't want anything that will jeopardize my last wish. Regards, Mrs Janet Brown NB; Do Send Him The Necessary Below information To Faclilate The Funds Release WILL For You(i)FULL NAMES (ii) RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, CITY, STATE AND COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE.(iii) AGE, SEX AND MARITAL STATUS. (iv) DIRECT PHONE NUMBER (v)OCCUPATION (vi) EMAIL ADDRESS

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam