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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:
  • "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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +27833541556 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • george-mandlazuma@workmail.co.za (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "mandla_zuma95" <mandla_zuma95@terra.com.co>
Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:27:34 -0300
Subject: Contact Me For More Information.


Mr. George Mandla Zuma
No 55 Simmons Avenue
Midrand Johannesburg
South Africa
Tel: +27 833 541 556
Email: george-mandlazuma@workmail.co.za
Attn: Sir / Madam,
It is my pleasure to inform you of a transaction involving the transfer of
US$12,000,000.00 (Twelve Million United State Dollars Only) to a foreign account for our mutual benefits. I am an accountant with the South African Anglo Gold Ashanti Cooperation in Johannesburg South Africa. And this money was originally from an over-invoice contract executed for the cooperation some time ago. The total sum of the contract has been paid to the original contractor on completion of the job.
I am a highly profile official therefore cannot claim this money, I am looking for a competent person or company abroad whose particulars will be tendered by me in South Africa as one of the contractors that executed this project for the collection of this money. And this money has been lying in the natural account of the paying bank without claim.
It is on this note that I considered it proper to right you asking for your consent permission and support to transfer this money into your account. You should not entertain any fear because this transaction is
100% risk free on both sides, and I have concluded arrangements to
Safeguard you in this transaction but at the same time, I will not like you to advertise this transaction for my own safety here in South Africa.
It requires a high level of secrecy and confidence. The sharing modalities: 35% of the total sum will be given to you after the transfer while 65% will be for me.
Thanks for your cooperation and your urgent reply will be highly appreciated. Contact me with this contact information: +27 833 541 556 or through my private email: george-mandlazuma@workmail.co.za
Yours truly,
Mr. George Mandla Zuma.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam