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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:
  • "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)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Almira Ahmed" <madam.ahmed25@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:12:46 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From Mrs. Almirah Ahmed.

>From Mrs. Almirah Ahmed.
Center De Santa Bethesda Hospital
83BP: 1730 Gbejromede
Cotonou Benin Republic
E-mail: madam.ahmed@live.com
Hello,
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.Almira Ahmed, widow to late Mr. Khalid Ahmed, former owner of
PETROLEUM AND GAS Company, here in Benin Republic. I am 68 years
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 pityme, but I
need your trust.My late husband died in December 2003 in a plane crash inBenin, (please
check,
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/index.html)
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
business 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 and
Europe. Am sorry if you are embarrassed by my mail. I found your e-mail
address as a real Child of God 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 convince, and I
have decided to contact you, but if for any reason you find this mail
offensive, you can 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 US$3 Million (Three Million Dollars only) in Asia 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.
Please you can reply with this email (madam.ahmed@live.com)
God bless you.
Mrs.Almira Ahmed

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam