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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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• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "MISS SANDRA" <sandraparker68@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Reply-To: sandraparker82@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Sat, 1 Jan 2000 16:38:45 +0100
Subject: I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE


Dear friend,
I am writing this letter with due respect and heartful
of tears since we have not known or met ourselves
previously. I am asking for your assistance after
getting your contact .
I came across your name and email address and after
praying over it, i decided to get across to you in
respect of to live the rest of my live in your country
and invest with my inheritance $5.5 Million Dollars.
Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars Under your
proper care.
As soon as i join you i will further my Education then
you will be investing with this money pending i finish
my school before i can then join you in the investment
field.
I wait for your reply so that we can proceed.
Sincerely,
Miss. Sandra

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam