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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• 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.

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:
  • "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.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: "Western Union Lottery Org." <wesunion.org73@live.com>
Reply-To: <westernunion.org@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:00:35 -0800
Subject: Western Union Lottery Winner!!!



WINNER,This is to inform you that you have been awarded a cash prize of US$500,000.00.It is our tradition in WESTERN UNION to reward by giving awards to deserving customers who have shown by continous patronage their trust in our services.To begin the process of claiming your prize, contact our Western Union Lottery Customers Service through our agent contact e-mail address below: westernunion.org@gmail.comThis is your winning pin number WUXB196
Note that you are to keep this pin confidential from anybody and your winning pin number for future claims.
You are also advised to provide them with the under listed information's as soon as possible for the speedy transfer of your award prize .1.Name2.Address3.Age
4.Cell phone number 5.Short comment on our services.

Congratulations again from all our staff and thank you.
Western Union Lottery Org. ©2007
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam