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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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• 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million us 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)
  • "00,000.00" (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: serah james <serahjames200@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <faith_serah02@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2007 15:32:15 +0100
Subject: God bless you



GREETINGS MY BELOVED FAMILY,
I am Mrs. Serah James, a wife to Late Mr. Franklyn James, I am 66 years old and am suffering from a long time cancer of the breast that has affected my hearing with swollen legs and my condition is getting worst daily and has gotten to a severe stage that need surgery operation to correct some complications.
My late husband died during the Gulf war as a relief distributor and we had no child, so i inherited his wealth after his death, but My doctor told me that I may not live much more longer as a result of the sickness and old age, I got scared about what he told me, So I now decided to use the wealth in helping the poor and charity.
I selected you after my fervent prayers and fasting as God revealed to me for this purpose, I have a total sum of $12.000,000.00 Million US Dollars Deposited in the security bank and wish to give it out to you as I can no longer walk or hear well to assist me in using it for charity and help the poor and will like you to take 30% from the fund and give it to your family,
I will be most grateful, if you will get back to me with your personal information, your name and address, your occupation, marital status, sex and age, phone/fax.
So that my lawyer will give you my deposit certificate and letter of authority to claim the fund without any delay,
May almighty God, bless you and family.
Yours truly,
Mrs. Ajiyat Ahmad.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam