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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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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million pounds" (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they 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 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.
  • +447045706869 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • martinbillings71@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Martin Billings <martinbill_esq20@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <martinbillings2@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 23:58:16 +0000
Subject: Estate of Thomas Esmailian




Dear Friend,

I am Martin Billings a Legal practitioner based in the United Kingdom.
I know this email might come to you as a surprise since we have
not met each other before.

I am the Legal representative of Mr. Thomas Esmailian who died in
an unfortunate plane crash some years ago. Before his death he
left some very vital documents in my possession which is the
reason i am contacting you.

One of the documents in my possession is an oil License for
lifting of crude and the other is a Deposit Certificate for 31.5
million pounds with a bank here in the United Kingdom.
I have tried to reach his family but to no avail as he told me he
was brought up in an orphanage.

I am contacting you based on divine guidance as i have been
praying over this matter for months, so that we can work out a
modality to make use of what he left in my care before his sudden
demise.

You can reach me on my phone on +44-704 570 6869. I will look
forward to your urgent reply.

Thanks and God bless.
Atty. Martin Billings.

Reply to <martinbillings71@yahoo.co.uk

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam