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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:
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +2280689569 (Togo, probably a 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.
  • abuzamil@citromail.hu (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • 3aabuzamil@citromail.hu

Fraud email example:

From: "Zamil Abu" <abuzamil1@livedoor.com>
Reply-To: abuzamil@citromail.hu
Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:58:41 +0000
Subject: GOOD DAY


*GOOD DAY*

*I can't imagine how you will feel receiving a sudden business letter from a
remote country in far away Togo Republic west africa and probably from some
one you have not closely related with. but all the same, i belive we do not
need to be of blood relatives before we can establish cordial/Business
relationship. having said this, i think it is very important at this
juncture to introduce myself to you.*

*I am Mr.Abu Zamil,Personal Assistant to Executive
Director,Investment/Private Banking,African Investment Bank,Cotonou,Togo
Republic. I want to inquire from you if you can handle a transaction of
mutual benefits to both of us as the next of kin/ beneficiary of a sum of
money belonging to a deceased customer of the bank who died without
will(intestate)leaving no trace of his next of kin. I wish to know if we can
work together. I would like you to stand as her Next of Kin to a Fixed
Deposit of US$ 50.M which she made to our Bank. She died and left nobody
behind as her Next of Kin. Please details below. *

*1, YOUR PHONE NUMBER
2, YOUR TYPE OF WORK
3, YOUR AGE
4, YOUR MARITAL STATUS*

*Best Regards,
Mr. Abu Zamil.
E-mail:abuzamil@citromail.hu <E-mail%3Aabuzamil@citromail.hu>
+228 068 95 69
*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam