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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)
  • "hundred thousand u.s 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 "dying merchant" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: salim ibrahim <ajiman.health2@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2007 16:20:56 +0000
Subject:


Dear Friend, My name is SALIM IBRAHIM a merchant in Dubai, inthe U.A.E.I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancerIt has defiled all forms of medical treatment, andright now I have only about a few months to live,according to medical 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 never generous,I was always hostile to people and only focused on mybusiness as that was the only thing I cared for. Butnow I regret all this as I now know that there is moreto life than just wanting to haveor make all the money in the world. I believe when God gives me a second chance to come tothis world I would live my life a different way fromhow I have lived it. Now that God has called me, Ihave willed and given most of my property and assetsto my immediate and extended family members as well asa few close friends. I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul so,I have decided to give also 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 U.A.E,Algeria and Malaysia. Now that my health hasdeteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore.I once asked members of my family to closeone of my accounts and distribute the money which Ihave there 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 of is the hugecash deposit of (Twenty million five hundred thousand u.s dollars)that I have with a finance/SecurityCompany abroad. I will want you to help me collectthis consignment and dispatch it to charityorganizations. I have set aside 15% for you,then 5% for any expenses incured. Get back to me on my most confidential email at: uaeibrahimfamily@excite.comGod be with you.SALIM IBRAHIM
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam