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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:
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: ffahad@sify.com
Date: Sat, 03 May 2008 20:11:12 +0600 (IST)
Subject: Awaiting your reply My Dear,


My Dear,
I am Mrs. Fadilah Fahad, from Libya. I am married to Late YUSIF FAHAD of blessed memory who is an oil explorer in Libya and Kuwait for twelve years before he died view year's ago.

We were married for twelve years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Since his death I too have been
battling with both Cancer and fibroid problems. When my late Husband was alive he deposited a substantial amount of money in millions of dollars with a Deposit Company oversea.

Recently, my doctor told me that I have only six months to live due to cancer problem. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke sickness.

Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to either a charity/orphanage home or devoted God fearing individual that will utilize
this money the way I am going to instruct herein.

I want this organization or individual to use this
money in all sincerity to fund charity homes (motherless homes), orphanages, widows. I took this decision because I don't have any child
that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are into radical organisation and I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an Unholy manner.

Hence the reasons for this bold decision. Please, pray for me to recover as your paryers will go a long way in uplifting my spirit. I don't need any
telephone communication in this regard because of my health, because of the presence of my husband's
relatives around me always. I don't want them to
know about this development.

As soon as I receive your reply on Email: I shall give you further directives on what to do and how to go about actualising this project. I will also send you the entire Certificates that my late
husband was used to secure the consignment in the Security Company.


Any delay in your reply will give room in sourcing for an organization or a devoted Individual for this same purpose.

Until I hear from you by email; my dreams will rest squarely on your shoulders.

Remain blessed.
Mrs. Fadilah Fahad.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam