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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.

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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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "huge amount of money" (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)
  • "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)
  • "await your urgent response" (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.
  • +27739756777 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: samuel thabo <sa_thabo_za10@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:45:37 +0200
Subject: FROM:MR.SAMUEL THABO



FROM:MR.SAMUEL THABO 217 CHRIST CHURCH ROAD, FOURWAYS,JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA. TEL: +27 73-97-56-777
Sir/Madam, I am Mr.Samuel Thabo, The first son of Late Engineer Solomon Thabo, of Bulawayo-Zimbabwe. I and my mother are now resident in South Africa as an Asylum seeker (REFUGEE). I hope that you can take care of the amount involved. I have some huge amount of money, which I inherited from my dead father few months ago. My fathers tragedy occurred when the Zimbabwean government took our farm from us. My father was murdered in Zimbabwean and I and my mother are the only people left in the family, so I am willing to leave South Africa for any place abroad. My fund is presently deposited with a Security Company without disclosing the contents of the box to the Security Firm, and I would like you to help me transfer this money overseas pending investment. The amount deposited is (Twenty-Two Million United States Dollars) US$22 Million. In consideration of your assistance, I agreed to offer you, upon acceptance to this proposal 30% the remaining 70% will be for me and my mother for our life investment in your country. The confidentiality of this proposal will be highly appreciated. Thanks as I await your urgent response. Best Regards, Mr.Samuel Thabo
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam