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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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:
  • "dear beloved," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million united state 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Linda Roberts" <li_robertes@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:55:45 +0100
Subject: From Mrs.Linda Roberts


Dear Beloved,
I am Mrs Linda Roberts.I was married to Mr Jason Roberts,who
was the Director of Operations for Deloitte and Touche West Africa for ten
years before his untimely death in the year 2005. We were married for
eighteen years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted
for only four days.
Since his death I decided not to remarry .When my late husband was
alive he deposited the sum of $2.3 Million United State Dollars (Two Million
Three Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars ) in a commercial bank in an escrow
account.
Presently,the fund is still with the bank.Recently, my Doctor told me
that l have a serious sickness which is cancer related problem as well as
stroke. The one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness.Having known my
condition I decided to donate this fund to an individual or organization
that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want
an organization or individual that will use this fund for orphanages,
widows,propagating the word of God and to endeavor that the house of God is
maintained.
The Bible made us to understand that Blessed is the hand that giveth.
I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this
money and l was once brought up by foster parents since my dad died through
a fatal accident and was also told my mum died whilst given birth to me.
This is why I am taking this decision. I know l will die one day but l will
be much happy if l die knowing that the wealth that the good Lord gave my
husband and I had been used to help others who are in need.
I want you to always pray for me because the Lord is my shephard.
My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Whoever that
Wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and Truth. Please always be
prayerful all through your life.
Hoping to receive your reply
Remain blessed in the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs.Linda Roberts

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam