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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:
  • "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "trunk box" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "trunk boxes" (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: linda mensah <faith_mensah@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 23 May 2007 09:03:25 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: GREETINGS...........................URGENT REPLY.


ATTENTION:


THIS PROPOSAL MAY COME TO YOU AS A SURPRISE BECAUSE IT IS AN UNSOLICTED MAIL IT'S A PRIVILAGE AND IT DEMANDS AN UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY AND HONESTY.

MY NAME IS FAITH MENSAH I AM 24 YEARS OLD OF AGE FROM ZIMBABWE MY FATHER DIED RECENTLY AS A RESULT OF AN ACUTE HEART PROBLEM RIGHT NOW I AM IN POSSESSION OF ($25MILLION) UNITED STATES DOLLARS DEPOSITED WITH TWO METALIC TRUNK BOXES WITH THE PROVIDENCE SECURITY & INSURANCE COMPANY HERE IN GHANA ALL THE DOCUMENTS COVERI NG THE DEPOSIT ARE INTACT WITH ME.

I AM CURRENTLY ON TRANSIT AWAITING FOR AN HONEST OVERSEA`S PARTNER FOR NEGOTIATIONS THOUGH IT IS MY DESIRE TO GO INTO PROPERTY INVESTMENTS OR ANY OTHER AREAS OF YOUR CHIOCE YOU MAY ADVICE ON HOW THIS FUNDS WILL BE INVESTED.

FOR YOUR MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING I HAVE MAPPED OUT 15% COMMISSION FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE AND 5% FOR ANY EXPENSES INCURED DURING TRASACTION THIS IS BECAUSE THE SECUIRTY COMPANY WILL NOT RELEASE THE BOXES CONTAING THIS FUNDS BECAUSE OF THE AGREEMENT MY FATHER H AD THAT THIS BOXES BE RELEASED UPON THE PRESENTATION OF HIS FOREIGN PARTNER THAT IS WHY I AM SOLICITING YOUR COOPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING AND

I AM SURE THAT MY DECISION TO CONTACT YOU WILL BE A SUCCESS AFTERWARDS.

WAITING YOUR KIND RESPONSE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

GOD BLESS YOU.

BEST REGARDS

FAITH MENSAH

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam