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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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• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • ",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)
  • "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Rev Father Frank Johnson <solnumer@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:20:49 +0000
Subject: FROM REV FATHER FRANK JOHNSON.




Dear Sir,

I know you don't know me in person, of which bad people has made us not to trust the good
once again, but as for me you really need to trust me, because am a God fearing person.

For your information, my name is Rev Father Frank Johnson, one of my church member
deposited the sum of 5,000,000 Euro in a Bank, and she is very very sick, this morning
her doctor called me personally that she is going to die before 1 week, and she called
me personally that i should assist her to look for a trustworthy person that will receive
the sum of 5,000,000 and help her our child that is now 19 years old.

So please i will really want you to receive the 5,000,000 Euro in your account, and help her
only child to further his education in your country. Be informed that Mrs Lilian Kings has
agreed to give you 40% from her total sum for your assistance, why the balance 60% will
be for her only child to further his education and investment in your country.

If you have agreed to assist in this transaction, all you need is to get back to me, so it
will enable me to give you more details in this transaction.

Finally, may our good Lord bless your going out and coming in as i look forward to read from you.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Father Frank Johnson.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam