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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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• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
• 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.
  • cupaedward@yahoo.co.uk
  • cupa_edward@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "cupa edward" <edwardcupa1@googlemail.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 14:27:55 +0000
Subject: please get back to me fast


* *

*Dear Friend,
*

* *

* *

*May this reach you in peace of mind and good health since this is my first
letter to you.** *

*I found your profile very interesting and decided to reach you directly to
solicit for your assistance and guidelines, I am writing following an
opportunity in my office that will be of immense benefit to both of us*

* *

*I am Cupa Edward, working with Chesterfield Group Ltd one of the Financial
Institutions here in United Kingdom.*

* *

*I write to inform you about our late Investor/Client who is either related
to you or coincidentally share the same surname with you whose investment
deposit have remained dormant.*

* *

*He died three years ago leaving no authorizations for re-transfer of this
investment with us.*

* *

*I am looking for someone to trust who will stand as beneficiary to receive
this fund. *

*All documents including the Certificate of Deposit to back up the claims
will be made available to you prior to your acceptance to conclude this
business. If you can provide me with an account where I can transfer the
said investment fund, we will discuss about the sharing in details when I do
receive your response.*

* *

*If you are interested, please get back to me through my private email
cupaedward@yahoo.co.uk for more information. <cupa_edward@yahoo.com> ***

* *

*Best regards,*

*Mr. Edward*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam