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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:

• The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic immunity"
• 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)
  • "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "alan foster" <alanfoster18@unimail.mn>
Reply-To: alanfoster2008@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:08:58 +0100
Subject: Consider very urgent


Attention MY Good Friend,


Greetings to you!

I am Alan Foster,A US Marine in Iraq.As you may know,there are several cases
of insurgents attacks and suicide bombing going on here.However,with the
connivance of a few people I managed to move funds belonging to some
deceased terrorists who were killed.The total amount is US$25.5 Million
dollars in cash.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm



I want to move this money to you so that you may keep our share for us until
when I shall come over to meet You. I will take 60%, for my partners and I
while you take 40%.No strings attached.Just help us move it out of Iraq as
Iraq we all know is a war zone.Note that I plan to
use the British Diplomatic courier in shipping the money out in a Box,using
diplomatic immunity.If you are interested I will send you the full details.


My job is to find a good partner that we can trust and that will assist us.
Can I trust you? When you receive this letter, kindly send me an e-mail
signifying your interest including your contact details. This business is
risk-free. Get back to me immediately .


Respectfully,

Alan Foster.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam