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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "trunk box" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "keep it confidential" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Miss Isabella George" <bella_g_0@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: bella_george_000@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 12:29:57 +0100
Subject: PLEASE ASSIST ME

Dear Sir and madam,
First,I must solicit your strrictest confidence in this transaction and I believe that my decition to contact you will be giving genuine approval considering the fact we have not meet before. I am Isabella George the first daugther of Eng Desmund George who was the former minister of diamond mining cooperation in Liberia.My father had a bullet shot by the rebel on his way to Lusia west country city after Freetown the capital along with my brother.My brother died at the spot while the U.N.peace keeping force rescue my unconcious father.
He was later conveyed to Abidjan capital of Cote D Ivoire for medical treatment which he later died. While he was in the sick bed,He confide to me and my mother that he has two trunk box one contain (18,000,000.00) Eighteen million dollars and the other contains 300kilos of Gold which he deposited at a security company in Ghana as family precious item to avoid the official from raising eyebrow.during one of his trip to ghana.
Presently,I am in Ghana to confront and notify the security company for claim and the reason why am contacting you is because i want you to give me an advise on how to handle this consignment and also assist me to invest in your country.I have all the vital documents that coverred the deposit which I can send to you on request. My plan is to use part of the money to help some people in the refugees in camp,motherless babies home and also use the remaining to purchase a residential accomodation and invest in a profitable business venture in your country.
My mother and I have decided to give you 20%of the total amount if you agree to be foreign partner.I have never disclose this to anybody apart from you so
keep it confidential. Right now I am staying at the refugee camp in Ghana.If you are willing to assist me,PleaseKindly reply me and send me your private phone and fax number for more information. thanks and God Bless you
Best Regards.
Miss Isabella George

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam