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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • patricia_dou@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "patricia doud." <patricia.dou6@fastwebmail.it>
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2008 05:19:25 +0000
Subject: Cavary Greetings my beloved


Cavary Greetings my beloved,

Sorry to bother my dear you but,please for God sake read my request well and
if seriously you can help me please do not hesitate.

Glory be to God, My name is Mrs.Patricia Doudou and I was married to
Mr.Jacques Doudou who got several mines of Diamond and Gold at Tortiya and
Ity in the north of Cote d'Ivoire(Ivory Coast), and at present am in Abidjan
where We both married for 20years without children. I do not intend to waste
much of your time. My husband deposited the total Amount of US$ 20 Million
dollars cash with security company here in Cote d'Ivoire(Ivory Coast)before
he died, which I intend to give out for charity purpose through a God
fearing individual or firm that will received and use the money to help
ORPHANS,WIDOWS and PROPAGATE THE WORD OF GOD.

I am looking for someone that I can trust to handle this fund because of my
present health problems, I have a short time left on earth due to My cancer
problem, I have decided to give the money out to propagate Gods work since I
do not have a child and due to my husbands belief in giving to the less
privilege. Before my husband died we both decided to give the money out for
charity works which was our wish and I want to carry out my husbands wish so
that his mind can be at peace to the end, I want it recorded in heaven that
while on earth my husband and I contributed positively to the needy through
you. I await your response for more detail. Please get back to at this
address : patricia_dou@yahoo.com

May God bless you,
Mrs.Patricia Doudou .

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam