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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:
  • "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. )
  • "million dollars" (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 "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "alima uda0" <alima_uda0@klikni.cz>
Date: Sun, 25 May 2008 19:08:32 +0200
Subject: Hello,


Hello,


My name is Mrs.Alima Uda,widow to late Mr.Alima Uda,former cocoa
machandise,Cote D'Ivoire.I am from Cote D'Ivoire and i am 68years
old,suffering from long time cancer of the breast.From all indications
my condition is really deteriorating and it's quite obvious that I
won't live more than 2 months according to my doctors.

This is because the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage. i dont want
your pity but i need your trust.My late husband died early last year from
heart attack,and during the period of our marriage we couldn't produce
anychild.

My late husband was very wealthy and after his death,I inherited all his
business and wealth.The doctor has advised me that I will not live for more
than 2 months,so I have now decided to spread all my wealth,to contribute
mainly to the development of charity inAfrica,America,Asia and Europe.am
sorry if you are embarrased by my mail.

i found your e-mail address in the web directory,and i have
decided to contact you,but if for any reason you find this mail
offensive,you can ignore it and please accept my appology.

Before my late husband died he was a major cocoa machandise,in Cote D'Ivoire
and deposited the sum of 30 million dollars (Thirty million dollars) in a
security company in Cote D'Ivoire some years ago,thats
all i have left now,i need you to collect this funds and distribute it
yourself to charity,so that when i die my soul can rest in peace.The funds
will be entirely in hands and management.

i hope God gives you the wisdom to touch very many lives,that is my main
concern.20% of this money will be for your time and effort,while 80% goes to
charity,you can contact me with this mail.


God bless you.
Mrs.Alima Uda

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam