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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "trunk box" (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 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.
  • stellasoriba@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Stella Soriba <stellasoriba11@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: stellasoriba@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 8 Feb 2008 01:33:13 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: URGENT REPLY AND CONFIDENTIAL!!!!!!!!!!


FROM: Stella Soriba,
Accra, Ghana-West Africa.
E-mail: stellasoriba@yahoo,com
Dear Friend,

I like to invest in your country under your Guildians. My name is Stella Soriba from Sierra-Leone. I am the elder daughter of Mr.scott Soriba, former Minister of Mines and Industry. He was killed by rebels on his way to Capital city Freetown.

Before his death,he deposited trunk box containing $18.5 million U.S Dollars with
A SECURITY COMPANY HERE IN ACCRA GHANA for safe keeping and instruct that I should claim it to look after my self and my younger brother.

My Younger brother and I are now in Accra Ghana to notify claims of the FUND. I intend to invest this money abroad, hence my contacting you to advice me how best I can invest this money in your country and buy a house there.

For assistance I offer 35% of the money. We have all the vital documents covering the deposit of this fund and the ownership which I can send on request.

Send direct phone and fax numbers for more information on your reply.
I expect your prompt response.You can reach me on my private e-mail stellasoriba@yahoo.com

Best Regards
Stella and John Soriba.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam