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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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• How to report 419 spam to us
• 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:
  • "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "smith Wilson smith Wilson" <smithwilsons@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:51:46 +0100
Subject: Contact.


Attn

It is very imperative you give us the Certificate.

Send to us the Anti-Terrorist Clearance Certificate for the
US$6,700,000.00 (Six Million, Seven Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars). Send the Certificate to us by email attachment.

When we receive it and confirm, your parcel will be forwarded to you.
If you do not have the certificate, you contact the source where your
funds was transferred to you. They will make you understand what the
Certificate represents and how you can get it. The source or orign of
the funds is from Professor Charles C. Soludo of the Central Bank.

Waiting to hear from you.

Sincerely,


Smith Wilson
Dept. Intelligent Bureau.
International Airport Axis.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam