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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
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• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Johnson Essien <ohnsonessien38@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <ohnsonshirt@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:06:09 +0100
Subject: I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE



Dear Friend, My name is Johnson Essien from Ghana, am writting in respect of you to assist me and take care of sum of amount left over $10.5 million united state dollars.I want you to understand that this proposal is reality and 100% risk free, i assure you that you will never regret in assisting.If you can give me your own time to explain more about this transaction to you,You shall unerstand and see that am for good and for future relationship between the both families.I can arrange for the transfer of $65 Million Usd into your personal account or company account. This transaction is legitimate and legal and hence you have no need to worry.On acceptance of this offer please let me know so that i can furnishyou with more details on this issue. An early response to my mail will beappreciated to enable us open up commuinication towards therealization of this goal. You may wonder how i got your contact to be able to have such trust onyou with the huge amount in question, never mind on commencement offull commuinication, we shall know each othervery well,hoping that this isa life time chance that can make both you and me to live well for the rest of ourlife.I shall be looking foward to hearing from you. I will appreciateyour urgent response.God bless you and your family. Regards Mr Johnson Essien.
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam