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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million us 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)
  • "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 "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: mrs_aishamohammed2007@zipmail.com.br
Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2007 01:26:33 -0800
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Dear=20friend=2C=20?=

Dear friend,

Greetings, I am Mrs. Aisha Mohamed, a widow to Late Sheik Mohammed Sani,
I am 64years old, suffering from long time cancer of the breast. From all
indications my condition is really deteriorating and it's quite obvious
that I won't live more than Six months according to my doctors.

This is because the damage the cancer has done to me is very bad . My late
husband was killed during the US raid against terrorism in Afghanistan,
and during the period of our blissful marriage we couldn't produce any child
of our own.

My late husband was very wealthy and after his death,I inherited all his
business and wealth. The doctor has advised me that I may not live for more
than Six months and that it is only by the power of God [Allah] that can
determine my life span,so I now decided to divide part of this wealth, to
contribute to the development of the less privelegded and poor in Africa,
America, Asia and Europe.

I selected you after visiting the website and I prayed over it, I am willing
to donate the sum of $2.000,000.00 Million Us Dollars to you for the less
privileged. Please I want you to note that,this fund is lying in a security
Firm and upon my instuction, you will file in an application for the transfer
of the money in your name.

Lastly, I honestly pray that this money when transferred will be used for
the said purpose,and not other wise.
May God [Allah] be with you and your family.
I await your response.

Mrs Aisha Mohamed

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam