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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
• 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.
  • cathrinesmiths@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Mrs.cathrine smiths <cathrinesmiths@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007 22:09:28 +0200
Subject: CAN YOU HELP ME TO DO THIS?

Dear Beloved bixnfleisch,

Kindly, permit me to inform you of my predicament though I apologize for any inconveniences it might
course you but I write you today based on the fact that my situation is deteriorating and I must not
hesitate to confide in you.

I am Mrs Cathrine Smiths from Great Britain. I am married to Mr.Jerry Smiths, who worked as a consultant
in Monaco France for Twenty-Nine years before he died in the year 2004, and we were married for
twenty years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for some days.

Now, I have been sick since two (2) years,and recently my Doctor told me that the sickness is getting
worst,that I may not last for the next Few months due to cancer problem and stroke sickness which
disturbs me most,now that this sickness is getting worst,I have some amount of money which my
husband and I deposited with the security finance firm/bank Worth of Three Million,Nine Hundred
Thousand U.S.Dollars Only (US$3,9000.00) here in Europe.

Having known my condition, I decided to use this money for charity, orphanages and widows,so that it
will not be confiscated by the finance bank..

As soon as I receive your reply I will prepare a change of ownership that will empower you as the new
beneficiary of the said fund. Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another person for this
same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein. You can also send your
response through my e-mail address below:

cathrinesmiths@aim.com

Hoping to receive your reply and Remain blessed in the Lord.

Yours in God,

Mrs. Cathrine Smiths.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam