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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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• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • na19_yao52@yahoo.ca

Fraud email example:

From: "Nadia Yao Yao" <na19_yao52@yahoo.ca> (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2006 14:16:19 +0000
Subject: Sincerely Yours

FROM NADIA YAO YAO
ABIDJAN COTE D’IVOIRE,
Confidential.
Dear Respectful,
I am Nadia Yao Yao the only daughter of late Lt. Gen. Konan Yao Yoa of Cote d’Ivoire . I must confess my agitation is real in this proposal. I wish to get a favourable response to this my proposal
Dear friend, in as much as this email comes to you unexpectedly, I plead you give me few communication opportunities to let you absorb my intention. In case you decide to assist me after due consideration, I will get you detailed.

Note that certan particulars will be required of you to assist me get my inheritance retrieved. This is valued to the tune of Fifteen Million United States Dollars.(US$15MILLION). Details of this transaction will be given when you are convinced that you can do this business with me. I will appreciate your assistance and a profitable investment you are to look and manage for me till I come of age with 20 % of the total amount.The proceedings will be directed to my attorney in due course.

I rely on you to understand and cooperate with me.

Thanks and God bless,
yours truly,
NADIA YAO YAO.
Alt. Email: na19_yao52@yahoo.ca <mailto:na19_yao52@yahoo.ca>

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam