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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
  (+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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
• This email message is a "dying merchant" 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.
  • mahmoud2_ahmed@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "12ustma" <mahmouddahmed@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2006 22:48:05 +0430
Subject: Kindly Assist For Fullfillment Of A Wish On Earth

Dear Sir/Madam

As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for
me,because, I believe everyone will die someday. My name is
Mahmoud Ahmed a merchant in Kuwait City, Kuwait

I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It has
defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have
only about a few months to live,according to medical
experts. I have not particularly lived my life so well,as I
never really cared for anyone (not even myself) but my
business.Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was
always hostile to people and only focused on my business as
that was the only thing I cared for.But now I regret all
this as I now know that there is more to life than just
wanting to have or make all the money in the world. I
believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this
world I would live my life a different way from how I have
lived it.

I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my
immediate and extended family members as well as a few close
friends. I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul
so, I have decided to give also to charity organizations, as
I want this to be one of the last good
deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to
some charity organizations in the Kuwait, Algeria and
Malaysia. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I
cannot do this myself anymore.

I once asked members of my family to close one of my
accounts and distribute the money which I have there to
charity organization in Bulgaria and Pakistan; they refused
and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them
anymore, as they seem not to be contempted with what I have
left for them.

The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash
deposit of eighteen million dollars $18, 000, 000, 00 that I
have with a Finance/Security Company abroad. I will want you
to help me collect/receive this deposit and dispatched it to
charity organizations.

You can also reply me on my direct email address of
(mahmoud2_ahmed@hotmail.com
) for confidentiality as I'll be awaiting your quick
response. For your time and honesty, I have set aside 10%
for you.

Warm Regards
Mahmoud Ahmed.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam