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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "the consignment " (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)
  • "maryam abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Mrs Maryam Abacha <marcha_301@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mariamabacha_200@o2.pl>
Date: Tue, 29 May 2007 08:59:31 +0000
Subject: From Mrs Maryam Abacha



Dear Sir/Madam,
Accept my compliments./Salaam.
My name is Maryam Abacha, the widow of the late head of State, i have a total sum of USD25.5m with a security deposit company which i want you to assist me to secure, I will disclose the country where the consignment is once I know that you can be relied upon because of my safety and that of the consignment as that is the only hope left for my entire family as my husband LATE GENERAL ABACHA was killed by government while sitting as the Head of State of Nigeria.
Once you indicate your interest to help me with the relocation, i will go ahead to make available to you all the permissible documents that will enable you take delivery/possession of the fund consignment from the Security Company without any problems arising from such undertaking.
Hoping that you will keep this piece information very confidential even if you are not interested in helping me with this transaction.
Thanking you for your understanding and co-operation and sincerely believe that you will work with me.
Yours Faithfully,
Mrs Maryam Abacha
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam