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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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: "mail confidential" <mail.2@mailbox.hu>
Reply-To: mrs.fatimamorad1967@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Fri, 30 May 2008 03:31:30 -0700
Subject: Greetings (Assalam Alaikum).


Greetings (Assalam Alaikum).

My name is Mrs.FATIMA MORAD, widow to late Mr. Ibrahim Morad,former owner of
PETROLEUM AND GAS company in Dubai U.A.E. 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 3 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. Before My late husband died early last year
from heart attack we finally resident in Accra- Ghana, and during the period
of our marriage we couldn't produce any child. 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 3 months, so I
have now decided to spread all my wealth, to contribute mainly to the
development of charity in Africa,America, Asia and Europe.
I 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 oil magnate with Ghana National
Petroleum Company in west Africa under contract for past fifteen years and
there he deposited the sum of $25,250,000.00 million dollars (Twenty Five
million Two hundered and fifthy thousand united states dollars) in a bank
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. 25% of this money will be for your time and effort,while 75% goes
to charity. Please kindly get in contact with me if you are willing to carry
on this project.
Mrs.FATIMA MORAD

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam