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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:
  • "i would like to apply through this medium for your co-operation" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million united states 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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "ben david" <tarny_tarny@hotmail.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: benben66x@yahoo.fr
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:57:37 +0000
Subject: thank you





Attn/Dear

I would like to apply through this medium for your co-operation and to secure an opportunity to invest and do joint business with you in your country.
What i really have in mind is your good co-operation and your best expert advice on how this money will be invested in your country legally and profitably and to have the money invested as soon as we retrieve it from the security company and transfer to your custody .The exact amount is Ten million United States dollars($ 10.000.000.00).only.
The most things I expected from you is to regard this transaction as yours and put in your best towards our achieving set goals. But i must say, I will rely solely on your expert advice and guidance because this is my first business project and i want to have a good start.
I am waiting for your confirmation of the offer to enable us discuss details ,agreed and have the security company release and transfer custody of the money to your account after which i will come over to your country for the investment proper when i might have secured regular travel papers.
Looking forward to your response.
thank you
yours faithfully
ben david mr.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam