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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "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)
  • ",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)
  • "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Mackay <mrsmackaytusravee8@ig.com.br>
Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:36:53 +0200
Subject: Kindly Assist A Dying Woman Urgently.


Dear Friend,
It is with tears and pains that I write this mail from my sick bed in a
hospital. I believe you have never met such a condition before. My name is
Mrs. Mackay TUSRAVEE, widow to late Mr. Khalid TUSRAVEE, former owner of
PETROLEUM AND GAS Company, in Benin Republic. I am an American Citizen and
65years old, suffering from long time cancer of the breast. From all
indications my condition is really deteriorating and it's quite obvious that
I won't live more than 2 months according to my doctors.

This is because the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage. I don't
want your pity me, but I need your trust sincere, honest co-operation.My
late husband died in December 2003 in a plane crash in Benin, (please check,
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/index.html) and
during the period of our marriage we couldn't produce any child. My late
husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his businesses
and wealth.

The doctor has advised me that I will not live for more than 2 months, so I
have now decided to spread all my wealth, to contribute mainly to the
development of charity in Africa, America, Asia (China for the earth Quake
and Myanmar for the cyclone) and Europe.

Am sorry if you are embarrassed by my mail. I found your e-mail address as a
real God fearing peron for over a month now that I have been investigating
about you to know if really you are working according to the direction of
God so after all my investigation I am convinced, and I have decided to
contact you, but if for any reason you find this mail offensively, ignore it
and please accept my apology.

Before my late husband died he was a major oil tycoon, in Benin and
deposited the sum of US8,000,000.00 (Eight Million Dollars only)in a
Security company some years ago, That's all I have left now, I need your
help to collect this funds and distribute it yourself to charity homes.

So that when I die my soul will rest in peace. The funds will be entirely in
hands and management hope God gives you the wisdom to touch very many lives
that is my main concern. 20%of this fund will be for your time and effort,
while 80% goes to charity.
Get back to me through my private email: mackay-tusravee@voila.fr

God bless you.
Mrs. Mackay TUSRAVEE

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam