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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)
  • ",000,000" (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 "dying merchant" 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.
  • tomjames012@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "tom james" <tomjames012@rediffmail.com>
Date: 13 Jul 2007 23:07:19 -0000
Subject: hi


Dear friendAs you read this, I don\'t want you to feel sorry forme, because, I believe everyone will die someday.My name is tom james, I am a merchant ofOmani nationality but presently residing in london.I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer .It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, andright now I have only about a few months to live,according tomedical experts.I have not particularly lived my life so well, as Inever really cared for anyone(not even myself)but mybusiness. Though I am very rich, I was nevergenerous, I was always hostile to people and onlyfocused on my business as that was the only thing Icared for. But now I regret all this as I now knowthat there is more to life than just wanting to haveor make all the money in the world.I believe when God gives me a second chance to cometo this world I would live my life a different wayfrom how I have lived it. Now that God has calledme, I have willed and given most of my propertyand assets to my immediate and extended familymembers as well as a few close friends.I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soulso, I have decided to give alms to charityorganizations, as I want this to be one of the lastgood deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributedmoney to some charity organizations in the Oman,Algeria and Malaysia. Now that my health hasdeteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myselfanymore. I once asked members of my family to closeone of my accounts and distribute the money which Ihavethere to charity organization in Bulgaria andPakistan, they refused and kept the money tothemselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, asthey seem not to be contended with what I have leftfor them. The last of my money which no one knows ofis thehuge cash deposit of eighteen million dollars18,000,000 that I have with a finance/Security Companyin europe. I will want you to help me collect thisdeposit and dispatche it to charity organizations.Get back to me through my private email{}I have set aside 20% for you and for your time.God be with you.tom james&nbsp;my private email is below if you will help me:tomjames012@yahoo.co.uk

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam