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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:
  • "account in your country or any safer place" (a common phrase found 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.
  • email.thom_mmmmm@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "Thomas" <thom_mmmm@yahoo.fr> (may be fake)
Reply-To: thom_mmmmm@yahoo.fr
Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2006 18:38:52 +0000
Subject: My Dear Good Friend,

My Dear Good Friend,
I am Thomas Michael and My sister is Thomas Michael ,
we are from Ivory Coast.Our parents Mr and Mrs David Michael were assassinated by the rebels following the political uprising.My father was a serving director of the Cocoa exporting board.Before his death he had a foreign account here in Ivory Coast up to the tune of $18.3 Million which he told the bank that it was for the importation of cocoa processing machine. I want you to do me a favour to receive these funds to a safe account in your country or any safer place as the beneficiary. I have plans to do investment in your country, like real estate and industrial production.
This is my reason for writing to you. Please if you are willing to assist me and my only sister, indicate your interest in replying
Thanks and best regards.
Thomas Michael
Email.thom_mmmmm@yahoo.fr

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam