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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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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 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 orphan scam.

Fraud email example:

From: gladys frey <gladys_frey@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 11 May 2007 12:43:56 +0000
Subject: Dear Friend





Dear Friend,

I am Gladys Frey.I am from Switzerland
and the only child of late Mr Anton Frey.Few months ago,on the 10th of July
2006, my father died leaving me an orphan. When I was going
through some of my late father’s file, I found out that he deposited the
money paid to him for a contract that he executed valued at
$8.5
million dollars
with a bank here which can only be withdrawn by him or any of
his business associates..

Actually there was a friend of my
father whom i lost the contact. I came across yours when i was
searching the Internet to locate him. So I decided to contact you to help me to
cash and invest this money. To be frank with you i am very young
so i do not know much about investment. All i want you to do is to
stand in as a partner and friend of my late father and instruct the bank
to transfer the money into your account. I have the whole information of the
deposit account of my father with me,including the contract certificate
which was issued to him as the sole contractor.I will give it you once you
are willing to help me.



Please try and understand my situation
here. Life has not been very easy for me since the death of my father
and you will understand how difficult it is for me.I will be waiting to hear
from you upon the receipt of this mail.




Sincerely ,
Gladys Frey.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam