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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • moonshotii@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "cofidis" <cofidiseldinero@myway.com>
Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2006 05:15:00 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: RE: Western Union - IMPORTANT NOTICE - URGENT


HOW DO I COLLLECT THIS FEE PLEASE LET ME KNOW OKAY SO THAT I CAN SEND TO YOU THE NECESSARY DETAILS HURRY UP. THANK ALOTYOURS DAVID.--- On Thu 06/22, Moon Shot II &lt; moonshotii@gmail.com &gt; wrote:From: Moon Shot II [mailto: moonshotii@gmail.com]To: chandra@ozu.esDate: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 22:24:38 +1000Subject: Western Union - IMPORTANT NOTICE - URGENTDear Sir/Madam,There is an issue with the Western Union Money Transfer in the amountof $19,593.81 which has been sent to the owner of this email address.The sender has sent it to this email address rather than to a name. Wecannot send a money transfer to an email address, we require furtherinformation in order to complete this transfer.To solve the problem all we require is voice confirmation from you of the following -- to know the name in which you wish to receive this transfer- to know which office of Western Union you would like the money sent toIn order to correct this problem please call our office on +1 914 5956005 with
this information and we will then be able to give you theMTCN number. Yours Sincerely,Ambika SoroushiCustomer Service ManagerWestern UnionLevel 23,Thomas Edison Building,653 Pirie Street,Manhattan,NEW YORK 10282Please DO NOT reply to this email. You will not receive a reply.



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam