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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:
  • "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million british 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)
  • ",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)
  • "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: mr Andrea <mr_73@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mr_paul_w@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2009 01:48:06 +0000
Subject: From :Mr Paul Andrea.



>From :Mr Paul Andrea. Att :Sir/Madam. Compliments to you, This mail might come to you as a surprise and the temptation to ignore it as unserious could come in to your mind; but please consider it a divine wish and accept it with a deep sense of humility. I am Mr Paul Andrea,Investment and financial/consultant working with a Bank here in United Kingdom.The Bank want to transfer the sum of 52,000,000 (fifty two Million British Pounds)for investment and development in your country.As at this moment iwant to know if you will be capable to handle this transaction so that,I can explore business opportunity together with you.I had discussed this issue with the Bank board of directors and they have instructed me to look for a foreigner who will be capable to handle this transaction so that we can transfer this money out from Uk for investment in your country. Let me hear from you With trust and believe, kindly send me your information urgetly for onward procedures if you are interested,as well on replying send me the followings.

Beneficiary Name:...........Account number..............Bank Name:..................Bank Address:...............Swift Code:.................Your Age:...................Your Occupation:............your country:..............Your Telephone & Fax No:..............for easy communication.Thank you for your time and attention.

Warmest regards,Mr Paul Andrea Investment/Financial/Consultant.Tel No:+44-7513-988674

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam