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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• 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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: marcusndlovu2@gmail.com
Reply-To: marcusndlovu@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 02:36:50 -0700
Subject: From Ndlovu's Family


>From Ndlovu's Family

Dear

Greetings! My name is Marcus Ndlovu from Zimbabwe .Due to the sudden death
of my father Mr.Joseph Ndlovu who was murdered during a Land conflict in our
country for his alledged support over the white farmers. I have been thrown
into a state of hopelessness by the present administration of President
Mugabe.I have lost confidence with anybody within my country. I got your
contacts through personal research,and had to reach you through this medium.
I will give you more details when you reply. Due to my status as a refugee
in South Africa,1 am prohited in so many things here so that is why I have
contacted you. My father deposited $12.5million dollars with a security firm
in South Africa whose name is witheld for now till we communicate. I will be
happy if you can receive this funds and keep it safe I assure you 20% of
this fund and 5% for your expenses coming here. I will need your
telephone/mobile numbers so that we can communicate.please read and reply
back asap with your telephone number.

Sincerely Yours,
Marcus Ndlovu for the family.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam