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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.

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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:
  • "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: cyril balda <cbalda015@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <balde.cyril@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2007 23:28:45 -0600
Subject: Dearest one,



Dearest one,
I know my message will come to you as a surprise. I am Mr Balde Cyril from sierra leone but residing in Ivory Coast in Africa . It is my desire to contact you on honesty and sincerity to assist me in securing the sum of $8,000,000(Eight Million United States Dollars)which was deposited in the security company in Cote d'ivoire which i inherited from my father late Mr.Balde Edward to your country for investment. I am motivated in contacting you and hope to gradually build trust, relationship and confidence in you as I get to know you better.

So please I want to know if you will be of assistance but first I want to get to know you better. I am willing to offer you $1,600,000(One Million Six Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) for your effort input after the successful shippment of this money and investment. Indicate your interest towards assisting me by sending your phone and address so that I can communicate with you at any time. I will be waiting for your response.
Have a nice day and God bless you.

Yours Truly
Cyril Balde
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam