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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million united states 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
• This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348050445895 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • patrickthompson101@googlemail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "irishtrustfunds@terra.es" <irishtrustfunds@terra.es>
Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2007 23:25:50 +0200 (MEST)
Subject: YOU WON $1,000,000.00


IRISH INDEPENDENT HERITAGE TRUST FUNDS


PIN No: 621290042CM

In view of the yearly promotion of the above named organization held on the 15th of October, 2007; It is my pleasure to inform you that your e-mail address, as attached to the above PIN No:: 621290042CM, came up in the third dip.

You have therefore been picked as the lucky owner of the PIN No as attached to your email with the designated amount of One Million United States Dollars Only {US$1,000,000.00}.

* This programme is financed by a group of corporate establishments and non-governmental organization, from major cities worldwide. Based on management regulations, you are to remit 10% of the winnings to a reputable non governmental organization, after receiving your fund.

To process your winnings, contact immediately the designated consultant with the following information below;

Mr. Patrick Thompson
Tel: +234-805-0445-895
EMAIL: patrickthompson101@googlemail.com

We advise that all information's about your winnings must be kept very confidential {especially the Pin number}, until you have received your winnings in your bank account, which should be within 4-7 working days.

The Validity period of the winnings is for 14 working days hence you are expected to make your claims immediately.


Accept my heart felt congratulations.

Yours sincerely,

FLORINDO WEBER (MR)

PROGRAM CO-ORDINATOR


NB; Ensure that your PIN No is sent in your response to the above designated office.





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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam