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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• 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)
  • "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 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.
  • +22993815688 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • peter_johnson444@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: barryike eric29 <barryikeeric29@live.fr>
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 23:34:21 +0100
Subject: Attn My Dear friend



Attn My Dear friend I am very happy to inform you about my success in gettingthat fund Now, I want you to contact my secretary on the information below NAME; MR. PETER JOHNSONEMAIL:(peter_johnson444@yahoo.co.uk)Telephone Number 00229-938 156 88 ask her to send you the total sum of (800,000.00)EIGTH HUNDREDTHOUSAND US DOLLARS in a bank draft, which I kept for your compensation. CONTACT HER ON this email(peter_johnson444@yahoo.co.uk) Regards,Mr Barry Bello
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam