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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.

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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)
• 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.
  • shamimholdings@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Shamim Alavi" <shamim5547@rediffmail.com>
Date: 7 Dec 2006 17:08:50 -0000
Subject: From Shamim


Dear Friend,
I warm-heartedly make this contact with you on a positive note anticipating your kind consideration and cooperation,and plead for your time and understanding in this. My name is Shamim Alavi Junior.My mother is from Pakistan and my late father is from Ivory coast in west Africa and I contacted you because I want this transaction to be very confidential because of the money involved $8 million us dollar and he money is in a box here in Ghana cash ready to deliver out of Ghana.
I have all the documents but I just have only one problem for you to help me so that the box can be delivered to you without any problem.In our world today,such a manner of approach may not be acceptable or very suspicious, as we do not know each other and have not had any sort of communication in the past, but I urge you to take my email very seriously, considering the situation. If you can help me for problem, I will give you $2 million us dollar from the $8 million us dollar when the box arrived to you.
Please don\'t tell any body about this business because the box is in the airport right now here in Ghana. Now just to solve this problem for me and the box will be deliver to you in your country, please very secret for me and you alone. Please let\'s work together and i am sure that, in 48 hours you will get the box.
Please respond to my private email:shamimholdings@yahoo.com&nbsp;I will be very grateful if you can be of help so that this funds can be secure in your custody and save.Your early reply will be appreaciated.
Thank you,and God Bless.&nbsp; Shamim Alavi.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam