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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:
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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • jm_neil1990@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "James Neil" <jm_neil@msn.com>
Reply-To: jm_neil1990@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 16 Oct 2005 03:32:13 +0000
Subject: GOODDAY.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Permit me to introduce myself, I am James Neil, head of Mortgage department, Lloyds securities and finance company ,659 Openshaw Street. Manchester United kingdom.

Only recently I discovered that one account belonging to Ms. Fiona Watts now DECEASED has remained dormant for the past two years, after intensive investigations, I found out that Late Mrs. Fiona Watts died in a ghastly auto accident in June, 2002.

At this point I am contacting you concerning a business acquaintance that will necessitates you to act as a new beneficiary cum next of kin to the said dormant account as I hope to give you more technical details on how I think we should transfer the funds into your nominated offshore/residence account.

Please I need you to help me with your personal details such as:

Full names:

Home/office address:

Phone and fax numbers respectively:

You can reply me on: jm_neil1990@yahoo.com.

PLEASE, YOU MAY ALSO IGNORE THIS LETTER AND RESPECT MY TRUST IN YOU BY NOT EXPOSING THIS TRANSACTION, SHOULD YOU NOT BE INTERESTED.

Sincerely,
Lewis Brian.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam