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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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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:
  • "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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
• 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.
  • finnmore_mother@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "mother finnmore" <mother_finnmore@klikni.cz>
Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 23:52:22 +0100
Subject: Can i trust you


I am Mrs Finnmore, a widow to Late Engr. Larue Finnmore,I am
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 for too long more according
to my doctors.

This is because the damage the cancer has done to me is
very bad. My late husband and i during the period of our blissful
marriage couldn't produce any child of our own.My late husband was very
wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his business and wealth.
Going by the doctor?s advised that I may not live for more than
Six months but I believe God for a miracle and that it is only by the
power of God that can determine my life span, so I now decided to
divide part of this wealth, to contribute to the development of the less
privileged motherless homes and poor and churches and mosque in
Africa,America, Asia and Europe.

I selected you after visiting the skype and I
prayed over it, I am willing to donate the sum of $10.500,000.00
Million U.S Dollars to you for the less privileged.

Please I want you to note that, this fund is lying in a security Firm
and upon my instruction, the ownership Of this fund will be changed in
your name by my attorney and the fund will be Dully transferred to any
account of your choice.Lastly, I pray that this fund will be used by
you for the purpose for which it?s been Given to you.
I will be waiting for your urgent response in this my mail box(
finnmore_mother@yahoo.it)

Regards and God Bless
Mother Finnmo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam