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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
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• 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:

• 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:
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "chief auditor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • mr_favourobassi@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Favour Obassi" <mr.favourobassi1@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: mr.favourobassi1@yahoo.com.au
Date: Sat, 17 May 2008 23:35:32 +0100
Subject: BANK TO BANK TRANSFER


*Hello My Dear,*
**
*My name is Mr.Favour Obassi, The Chief Auditor Bank of Africa. I have only
written to seek your indulgence and assistance. I wish to make a transfer
involving a huge amount of US$12,500,000.00 {Twelve Million Five Hundred
thousand United State Dollar Only}.*
**
*I am proposing to make this transfer to a bank account of your choice.
Thus, for your indulgence and support, I propose an offer of 25% of the
total amount to be yours after the transfer has been successfully concluded.
Kindly reply me stating your interest, and I shall furnish you with the
details and necessary proceedure which to make the transfer safe for the
both of us.*
**
*Your Full Name,Contact Address,Phone/fax number,will be necessary for this
Effect. I await your response so as for us to proceed with the transaction.
If you are interested, please reply me immedietaly to my private email
address: mr_favourobassi@yahoo.com*
**
*I am looking forward to hear from you.*
**
*Sincerely yours
Mr. Favour Obassi*
**

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam