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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• 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.

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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 states 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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "MARY JANE" <maryjane2008@student.com>
Reply-To: maryj009@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:00:10 +0100
Subject: TO WHOM IT MAY HAVE REACHED


DEAR BELOVED,

TO WHOM IT MAY HAVE REACHED,PLEASE CONSIDER THIS MESSAGE VERY STRONGLY. I
AM MS.MARY JANE A CITIZEN OF UNITED KINGDOM.

I AM VERY SICK WITH CANCER AND THE DOCTORS SAY I HAVE FEW MONTHS LEFT TO
LIVE. I AM VERY WEAK AND HAVE MANAGED TO SEND YOU THIS EMAIL FROM HOSPITAL
IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, I HAVE LITTLE TIME LEFT TO LIVE, SO I HAVE COMMITTED
IT TO SPREADING MY WEALTH TOWARDS BETTER HEALTH CARES FOR MANKIND.

I DON'T KNOW YOU, BUT DUE TO MY CONDITION I AM CONTACTING YOU WITH THE HOPE
THAT YOU WILL HELP TO CARRY OUT MY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SAKE OF HUMANITY.I
HAVE US$25 MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS DEPOSITED WITH A SECURITY DEPOSIT
COMPANY IN EUROPE.

I WANT YOU TO TAKE CUSTODY OF THE FUNDS AND USE IT FOR CHARITY WORKS OF
YOUR CHOICE AS I HAVE LOST MY ENTIRE FAMILY (HUSBAND & TWO CHILDREN) IN
TSUNAMI DISASTER WHILE ON HOLIDAY IN DECEMBER 2004.IF YOU ARE WILLING TO
HELP AND CARRY OUT MY INTRUCTIONS, PLEASE REPLY URGENTLY TO THE EMAIL
ADDRESS BELOW FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONS. AND IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO HELP,
PLEASE DELCINE IMMEDIATELY AND DELETE THIS MESSAGE,
THANK YOU. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS, PLEASE DO NOT WAIT
TO ASK AS I AWAIT YOUR RESPONSE.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES.
SINCERELY YOURS,
MS.MARY JANE

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam