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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)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "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)
  • "million pounds" (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "former president of liberia" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "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 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.
  • p_ty299@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "prince taylor" <printaylor222222@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:12:00 -0700
Subject: urgent reply


Dear Friend,

I need your urgent assistance in respect of my consignment which is
presently in Security Company and due to be clear; further more to my
proposal; I also like to use this time to introduce my self to you base on
fact that we have not met before;

I am the Son of former president of Liberia ; President Charles Taylor; who
is presently having problem with the rebel of my Country Liberia; and is on
detention pending on trial for more information you can search (
www.charlestaylortrial.org) event about my Father reign as the formal
President of Liberia.

During the time of the war my Father new he was going to lose the set of
President he make arrangement with a security company hear in Cotonou
Africa where he deposited 50 million Dollars in a Security Company for self
keeping and another 20million pounds in Bank in London; also gold dust and
diamond on my name as the next of kin; handle all vital document that back
the fund to me in case of future reference; right now I am seeking asylum in
Republic of Benin Cotonou; due to the good relation ship between my Father
and the President;

Sir all I need from you is to stand as my beneficiary to enable me invest
this money in a profitable business in your Country that can fetch more
money for me and my family; and I am ready to give to you 5 percent of the
total money as soon as he get to your country; if you are ready to help me
please reply with your tele phone number so that I can reach you for more
information; or you can reach me on this email: p_ty299@yahoo.com
Thank you;
Waiting for your urgent reply.
Best regards.
Prince C.Taylor

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam