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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
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• 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:
  • "million us 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)
  • "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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Caldwell Mrs Gloria" <mrsgloriacaldwell156@livedoor.com>
Reply-To: mrsgloriacaldwell58@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:07:01 +0100
Subject: MESSAGE FROM GLORIA CALDWELL:


Dear beloved friend,

I am Mrs Gloria Caldwell, a widow to late Richard Caldwell. I am 58years
old, i am now a new Christian convert, suffering from long time cancer of
the breast, from all indication my conditions is really deteriorating and it
is quite obvious that i will not live more than six months. According to my
doctor, my the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage. My late husband
ran into the hands of the rebels and was killed during the crisis, here in
Cote d'Ivoire and during the period of our marriage we could not produce any
child.

My late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his
business and wealth. My doctor has advised me that i may not live for more
than six months, so I decided to divide part of this wealth, to contribute
to the development of the church, mosque and heart care foundation or any
thing that will generate happiness to the children of god in Africa,
America, Asia, and Europe. I prayed over it and am willing to donate the sum
of $3.200,000.00Million US dollars, to the less privileged. Please I want
you to note that fund is lying in a bank and upon my instruction, my
attorney, who presently is in Africa distributing relief materials to
bombast in Sierra-Leone, will file in an application for the transfer of the
money in your name.

Lastly, i honestly pray that this money when transferred will be sure for
the said purpose, because i have come to find out that wealth acquisition
without Christ is vanity. May the grace of our Lord Jesus the love of god
and the fellowship of god be with you and your family; I await your urgent
reply.


I wait for your reply
yours in Christ
Mrs. Gloria Caldwell

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam