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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "million united states 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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "liberia" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "azizemar Gazeta.pl" <azizemar@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: admintalla@myway.com
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 23:35:55 +0100
Subject: INVESTMENT NOTE


Dear Sir/madam,

I have a client who would like to invest in your country, and am currently
seeking for a reliable person to assist in facilitating the project, so this
prompts me to contact you for possible interest.

The total amount in question is US$60 Million (Sixty Million United States
Dollars), and it is presently deposited in a security bank's vault. So my
client, being a known political figure in Liberia, handed me this project
and warned that he would want his name to remain a top secret.


Subsequently, you are to assist in the following areas:

(1) Assist in investing of the said Amount
(2) Advise on lucrative areas of Investment
(3) Assist also in purchase of Properties.

If the proposal interest you, please call or email me.So that we can arrange
how to move the fund to your country.

For your effort and support in the transaction, we have agreed to offer you
15% of total sum of the fund (US$60Million) as your interest.

I am waiting for your urgent response. Please reply.

Thank you.

GRATEFULLY TREAT AS URGENT.

Mr.Dou Azize.
Fin/Adv.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam