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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:
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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)
  • ",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)
  • "10% will be kept aside for expenses" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "SGT JOHN GUY" <kellybrown43@ig.com.br>
Reply-To: sgtjohnguy@myway.com
Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:16:57 +0200
Subject: Attn: From Sgt John Guy In The 3rd Armored Calvalry Regiment Patrols in Iraq.


US Military in Iraq.
3rd Armored Calvalry Regiment Patrols
Tal Afar, Iraq.


Dear Freind,


My name is Sgt.John B. Guy, I am an American soldier, I am serving in the
military of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Patrols Tal Afar, in Iraq. I
am presently serving in one of the horrible prisons in Iraq now. I
apologized using this medium to reach you for a transaction of this
magnitude. Please view the links to see my pictures.


http://www4.army.mil/armyimages/armyimage.php?photo=9169


and


http://www4.army.mil/armyimages/armyimage.php?photo=7990.


We have in our possession the sum of US$124,000,000.00 (ONE HUNDERED AND
TWENTY FOUR MILLION US DOLLARS),which belongs to Saddam Hussein. These funds
have been moved and kept safe in a Security Company, please view this link
for more details:


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm


Basically since we are working for the American Government, we cannot keep
these funds, but we want to move the funds to you, so that you can keep it
for us in your safe account or an offshore account.


I have the authority of my partners involved to propose that should you be
willing to assist us in this transaction, your share of the sum will be 10%
of the US$124 million, 80% for us and 10% will be kept aside for expenses
and be rest assure that this business is 100% safe on your part provided
you treat it with utmost secrecy and confidentiality.

Therefore, if you are interested, please reply immediately via email with
your Full Name, Current Mailing Address,your confidential Telephone and Fax
numbers for easy communication and write me immediately.


Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details that will
help you understand the transaction. Please observe utmost confidentiality,
and be rest assured that this business is risk free.


Respectfully submitted to you.
Sgt.John B. Guy
Tal Afar, Iraq.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam