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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.

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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:
  • "million us 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)
• This email message is a "dying widow" 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.
  • maryudodo2@telkom.net

Fraud email example:

From: "mary udodo" <maryudodo9@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 10:50:46 +0000
Subject: Mrs. Mary Udodo

Mrs. Mary Udodo
Home Address: No 264 abudul Road,
Kabul, Afghanistan

Dear Friend,

Greetings to you, I am Mrs. Mary Udodo, a widow to Late Mr. Jerry Udodo, I
am 64 years old, suffering from long time cancer of the breast. From all
indications my condition is really deteriorating and it's quite obvious that
I have a limited time to live according to my doctors.

This is because the damage the cancer has done to me is very bad .My late
husband was killed during the US raid against terrorism in Afghanistan, and
during the period of our blissful marriage we couldn't produce any child of
our own. My late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited
all his business and wealth.

The doctor has advised me that I may not live for more than Six months and
that it is only by the power of God [Allah] that can d! etermine my life
span, so I now decided to divide part of this wealth, to contribute to the
development of the less privileged and poor in Africa, America, Asia and
Europe.

I am willing to donate the sum of $25.000, 000.00 Million Us Dollars to you
for the less privileged. Please I want you to note that, this fund is lying
in a security Firm and upon my instructions, you will file in an application
for the transfer of the money in your name.
Lastly, I honestly pray that this money when transferred will be used for
the said purpose, and not other wise. please send your respond to me on this
email.
maryudodo2@telkom.net

I await your response.

Mrs. Mary Udodo.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam