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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447024063738 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • barbrown_smith@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "Lizzy Hannah" <lizzy_sanchon@msn.com>
Reply-To: lizzy_sanchon@myway.com
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2006 22:19:31 +0000
Subject: RE: Can we help you?

Dear Sister in Christ,

How are you and your well wishers in the lord, i am sorry i have not been
able to reply you all these while i have been hospitalised for the past few
days. I am happy to hear from you at this time of the providence of
restoration. Actually what i wanted is to actuallise my heart desire by
enhancing the work of God, please i want to make it brief because of my
health,i will be very glad if this fund get to your ministry on time before
i leave for eternity to our lord, and i strongly desire your prayers at this
time.

Contact my Husband late attorney, he is my lawyer and he has all the
document concerning my wealth he is Barrister Brown Smith, his email is
barbrown_smith@yahoo.co.uk. Please reach him either by email or phone # +44
7024063738 so that he can start the processing on time, and don't forget
your prayers for me as i pray god will richly assist you as you do this work
to his glory.

Yours in Christ,

Mrs Lizzy H.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam