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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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• 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:
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • ",500,000" (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 next of kin 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.
  • johnfredrick_chambers20@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: secirwinolson8@comcast.net (Irwin Olson)
Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2008 17:00:15 +0000
Subject: ATTENTION

ATTENTION

I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter
Returned undelivered. I hereby attempt to reach you again regarding the
Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Engr.Luther Kruger

I wish to notify you that Late Engr. Luther Kruger made you a
Beneficiary to his WILL. He left the sum of Twenty two million five
Hundred thousand United States Dollars ($22,500,000)to you in the
Codicil and last testament to his WILL.

Late Engr.Luther Kruger died on the 12th day of March, 2007 at the age
Of 80 years, and his WILL is now ready for execution. According to him
This money is to support your humanitarian activities and to help the
Poor and the needy in our society.

Please if I reach you this time, endeavor to get back
To me as soon as possible to enable me conclude my job.

I hope to hear from you in no distant time through the email address
Below.

Email: johnfredrick_chambers20@yahoo.co.uk

Yours in Service,
Irwin Olson
Secretary

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam