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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.

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.
  • buffalobmw@gmail.com
  • amazingchamber@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Agent Benedict Scott" <info.claimagent@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 02 Jul 2006 12:00:03 +0100
Subject: RE: Western Union - IMPORTANT NOTICE - URGENT

what is the game plain.

Let me know, be carefull things have changed. I am serious.

Ma

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From:  "Andy Thomas" <buffalobmw@gmail.com>
To:  amazingchamber@gmail.com
Subject:  Western Union - IMPORTANT NOTICE - URGENT
Date:  Mon, 19 Jun 2006 23:56:43 +1000

Dear Sir/Madam,

A payment has been made to you in the amount of $12,000. However, due

to the recent actions of the US government passing the Money Transfer

Act 2006, we are unable to process your payment as requested at this

time. The money is unable to be returned to the sender, and we require

some information from you in order to be able to process your payment.

Please contact me urgently via telephone +1 914 595 6005 so I can

discuss this matter with you. If we cannot resolve the situation via

telephone, the money will be donated to charity.

Please quote reference number  7247-423 when you call.

Yours Sincerely,

Andy Thomas

Customer Service Manager

Western Union

Level 23,

Thomas Edison Building,

653 Pirie Street,

Manhattan,

NEW YORK 10282

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam