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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:
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: maryleo johnson <maryleo_johnson10@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <maryleo_johnson01@yahoo.fr>
Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2007 01:53:47 +0200
Subject: From Mary Johnson.




From Mary Johnson.
Address:No 9 Amina Guest House.
Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire in west africa.

Dear Please do not be embraced with this letter as we have not seen or meet before. My name is Mary Johnson I am the only daughter of Late Mr. Sodjo Johnson a wealthy cocoa merchant in the northern part of Cote D'Ivoire who was killed by unknown rebels during November 2005 massacar in the cuontry. My late father deposited the sum of four Million Five Hundred Thousand United state Dollars (USD$4.5M) with a bank here in Cote D'Ivoire.Before the death of my late father he called me and give me and my brother Leonard every information regarding the deposite and advice us to choose a country of our choice to reside, since they are resposinble for my fathers death. Dear I want you to assist us to transfer this money to your account and assisting us investing it in any Good business in your country for our benefit. Please tell me how much percentage you want for your humble assistance.

Dear if you are touched to help me, kindly reply me so that I will detail you more.

Thanks and remain blessed.
Mary Johnson.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam