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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:
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Ubi Ubi" <ubi162@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: ubiitelga@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 20:17:13 -0600
Subject: Business invitation

Hello,

I hope you will receive this letter in good health and understanding. I am a
health professional working in Sudan. I work as a logistics personnel
between International government agencies and charity/health organizations
in Sudan.

I write you this letter to assist me facilitate an outstanding sum of six
million four hundred thousand United States dollars (US$6.4m) to your bank
account. It is presently in the bank under the insurance cover of a UK based
Insurance company. This money was derived through procurement of supplies
executed for charity organizations in Sudan and is now waiting to be claimed
by a supplier. I want to associate with you so that the money will be paid
in your name on my behalf without anybody&#8217;s knowledge. Please note
that the transfer of the fund to your bank account is 100% risk free. I know
about the international money regulations so I applied a legal procedure to
obtain the payment.

I will give you 25% of the total amount as soon it is confirmed in your bank
account. Kindly write me back as soon as possible if you wish to collaborate
with me in this venture. Best Regards. ubi

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam