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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
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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:
  • "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)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: WILLIAM RUSSELL <wr545667@msn.com>
Reply-To: <WR20084us@praize.com>
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:15:58 +0000
Subject: NOTICE



Hello,
I hope this e-mail message meets you well? I am in need of your assistance. My name is Lt. Col. William Russell of the Engineering Unit of US Military (MARINE) here in Ba'qubah in Iraq, and a citizen of the United States of America.

We have about $20 Million US dollars that we want to move out of this country (Iraq). My partners and I need a good partner out there, someone we can trust to receive the funds on our behalf. It is an oil money and legal,there is no room for fear here.

We have made arrangement with a Diplomatic Courier Service that will move the funds out of Iraq as a Family Treasures to where you want it. Arrangement has been made also to transfer the funds through BANK OF BAGHDAD. It all depends on what you want and how you want the funds to be delivered to you. The most important thing is; "CAN I TRUST YOU"? Once the funds gets to you.

Once the funds get to you, simply take out 20% as your share and keep the remaining 80% for us.Your own part of this deal is to find a safe place where the funds can be sent to, ours is sending it to you safely. If you are interested I will furnish you with more details upon receipt of your response and contact details. But I can assure you the whole process is simple and we need you to make it as a confidential matter website;http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm

I look forward to your reply and co-operation.

Regards,
Lt. Col. William Russell

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam