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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
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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:

• 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:
  • "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)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "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 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.
  • marythom_s@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "ERIC JOE" <ericjoe2@ig.com.br>
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:37:30 +0200
Subject: pls get back to me for more details.


Hello Good day

My name is Mary Thomson, I know this will come to you as suprise but please
accept it with cool heart, I work with Citi Bank Paris here in France, and
recently I discovered $11million dollars in the bank dormant account
belonging to one late mark davidson from usa this man was confirmed dead in
a plane crash some 5years ago and till now no trace or info about his next
of kin or relation, I am looking for a trusted person from usa who I can
plan a deal with, I will present you to my bank as the brother or relation
to late mark davidson for the claim of this funds, so that we can share it
when I come over to usa to meet with you facialy,there is no risk involved
and I am ready to compansate you fine, Contact me through this email Address
marythom_s@yahoo.fr

My Regards

Mary Thomson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam