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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:

• 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:
  • "because it still remains the fastest medium of communication" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million pounds" (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)
  • "% will be for you" (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)
  • "i feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "foreign payment department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "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.
  • williamsfez_private@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "williamsfez Gazeta.pl" <williamsfez@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: williamsfez_private@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 07:14:42 -0700
Subject: URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL


>From Mr Williams Fez.
Address: 8 Mitchley Road
Tottenham London N17
9HG Occupations: Banker

Hello,Greetings to you,With warm heart I offer my friendship,and I hope this
mail meets you in good time.I feel quite safe dealing with you in this
important business.Though,this medium (Internet) has been greatly abused, I
choose to reach you through it because it still remains the fastest medium
of communication. However,this correspondence is private,and it should be
treated in strict confidence.However, strange or surprising this contact
might seem to you as we have not met personally or had any dealings in the
past, I humbly ask that you take due consideration of it's importance and
the immense benefit it will be to both parties involve.

I discovered a dormant account in my office owned by a deceased who died in
a plane crash,as Chief Executive,Strategy and International Operations with
Bank of Scotland London.It will be in my interest to transfer this fund
worth £15, 000, 000 fifth million Pounds sterlings in an account offshore.If
you can be a collaborator to this please indicate interest immediately for
us to proceed.Remember this is absolutely confidential and this transaction
is totally free from risk.

Please respond immediately I will use my position and influence to effect
the legal approval and onward transfer of this fund into your account with
appropriate clearance from foreign payment department. 25% will be for you
while 70% will be for my attorney and me and 5% will be for the expenses
that will be made by the both party. I will forward more information to you
upon your urgent response also I will want you to send me your direct
phone,name,address and fax number(if any) were you can be reached at all
time.Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.You can
contact me with this private email address: williamsfez_private@yahoo.com.hk

Regards and respect,
Yours Williams Fez.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam