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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million 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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
• 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.
  • +27843150001 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • agnesmotshone50@aol.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "AGNES MOTSHONE" <agnesmotshone6am_07am@msn.com>
Reply-To: agnesmotshone50@aol.com
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:47:38 +0000
Subject: IN NEED OF A SINCERE FAMILY ASSISTANCE

201 Kingsway Ave Ackuland Park
Johannesburg 2000
South africa
Tel +27-843-150-001
E-mail: agnesmotshone50@aol.com

Attn: Sir /Madam,

My name is Mrs. Agnes Motshone, from Zimbabwe Southern Africa.I am Them
Wife Of Late Mr. Rubben motshone, owner Motshone farms Harare Ltd, affected
by President Mugabes land reform acts which is depriving us of rights in all
facets.
I apologize for inconveniences this message may bring especially coming from
complete strangers. However, it is an urgent call for assistance as our ugly
(circumstance) predicaments here compelle my action.

I have $23.5Million dollars, which I will like to invest for my
children Miss. Linda and Leon, in your country through you company since I
am not business incline following the lost of my husband If you are
interested do get back to me for more information or call my son LEON or
MISS LINDA on Tel +27-843-150-001 you can also contact us through my above
E-mail address: agnesmotshone50@aol.com
You may wish to read about the problems in Zimbabwe my country through the
following links clearing any doubt proposition to ascertain my reasons of
contacting you and the situation weare in and really will appreciate if you
assisted us.
http://news.bbc.co..uk/1/hi/world/africa/918781.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/715001.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1063785.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6448559.stm
Waiting for your urgent response.

Yours Truely,
Agnes Motshone.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam