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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • mcfirm19277@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: mcfirm1800@zipmail.com.br
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 14:41:05 -0700
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?ATTENTION=2E=2E=2E?=


THIS IS FOR YOUR ATTENTION...


Sequel to your non-response to our last letter, we herein
notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary
to the total sum of £5,600,000.00GBP (Five million Six hundred
Thousand Great British Pounds) in the Estate of the deceased
(Name now withheld since this is our second letter to you).
We contacted you because you bear the surname identity and
Therefore can present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance
Estate since our client died in-testate.
We therefore reckoned that you can receive these funds as you
are qualified by your name identity. All the legal papers will be processed
in your reply and your acceptance of this deal,
we request that you kindly forward to us your letter of acceptance;
Your current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding address
to enable us file necessary documents at the Crown Court
Probate Division Uk for the release of the funds.
I shall appreciate your honest and confidential co-operation to make
this transaction a great success.
I await your urgent reply.

Yours faithfully,

Martin Chitty Esq.
Reply Email: mcfirm19277@yahoo.co.uk

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam