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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• 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.

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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• 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.
  • gerald.fraser001@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "geralds1 Gazeta.pl" <geralds1@gazeta.pl>
Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 00:27:12 +0100
Subject: Dear Sir/Madam


*Dear Sir/Madam*

*I apologize for this intrusion. I decided to contact you through this
medium due to the urgency involved in this matter.*

*My name is Mr. Gerald Fraser, I work with a bank here in LONDON I need
your co-operation in receiving USD$12.6M that has been in a dormant account
with my bank for over 5 years.*

*To facilitate the release of this fund to you, I will provide you with
detailed information on the modalities of this operation once I have confirm
your interest but I must say that trust flourishes business.*

*Therefore let your conscience towards this proposal be nurtured with
sincerity. I don't think I need to spell out the importance of secrecy in
this matter considering the amount involved and my career as a banker. I
will bring you up to date with all the information as soon as I hear from
you.*

*If I don 't hear from you within a certain period I will assume you are not
interested and may solicit for someone capable , but if you know you are
interested reply me and state your private email address and telephone
number.

Please send your response to my Email:
**gerald.fraser001@yahoo.co.uk*<gerald.fraser001@yahoo.co.uk>
*Regards,
Mr. Gerald Fraser
*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam