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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "please indicate your interest" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "my direct telephone number" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • 00221772160293
• 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.
  • ahmadbello@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Ahmad Bello" <ahmadbello1955@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <idrissadiop1955@hotmail.fr>
Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 02:10:00 +0000
Subject: Partnership Enquiry



Sir,
This mail correspondence may come to you as a surprise due to the fact that we have not met,i know that this is an unlikely platform to start this kind of relationship but i am constrained by the present situation of my of my life and i request you to permit me use this medium to introduce myself.
I am a liberian and was the personal aide on domestic affairs to our former president,Mr.Charles Taylor. I am currently seeking assylum in Dakar, Senegal and would need your co-operation in moving out some funds from here for investments in your country. Please indicate your interest in assiting me receive this money in any reliable bank account. You may contact me on my direct telephone number (00221 772 160 293), so that i can give you full details on how we shall make success in this matter.
I am anxiously awaiting your response through my confidential email address: ahmadbello@hotmail.com
Thanks,
Mr. Ahmad Bello
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam