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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "million british 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Frank Berry" <fberry@apu.edu>
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:47:25 -0700
Subject: RE;YOUR MAIL (IMMENSE BENEFIT)

Dear Friend,



Greetings to you! I am a solicitor who was hired to administer some funds from a sale of an estate that has just recently declared bankruptcy in Singapore which has its head office in the United Kingdom.



In the dispatch of my duty, there was an excess fund amounting to £5,000,000.00million {Five Million Pounds} which was not declared, but must be disbursed out and this is the reason I am writing you today.



I am seeking your assistance to transfer the entire £5,000,000.00 {Five Million British Pounds} to share in the ratio of 85: 15 Percent. If you decide to assist me, you would get 15% of the total sum stated above.



All I require from you are your full names, physical address, and telephone fax numbers to facilitate the preparation of the necessary paperwork that will legitimize your claims and further lead to the release of the said funds to your account, for us to share as stated above.



Kindly reply this mail as soon as possible to indicate your willingness. Email giggswalterdirective@live.com



Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Giggs Walter.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam