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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • ",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)
  • "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • atm.dept09@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "MARIA BAMFORTH" <mBamforth@au.edu>
Reply-To: afadanloanfirm.excharge@live.com
Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:01:01 +0600
Subject:

Dear Beneficiary,
Congratulations as we bring to your notice, The Office of the senate
house of Assembly has choosen you by the board oftrustees as one of the
final recipients of this new year promotion cash grant/Donation. To
donate ATM Card Value is 2000,000 USD to 10 lucky recipients,as New
Year promotion.

(Contact Claims Department)
Dr. Franklin Peterson
E-mail:atm.dept09@gmail.com
Dear Sir/Madam

We Offer Private, Commercial and Personal Loans with
very Minimal annual Interest Rates as Low as 2% within
a 1 year to 50 years repayment duration period to any
part of the world. We give out loans within the range
of $5,000 to $100,000,000 USD. Our loans are well
insured for maximum security is our priority.

Interested Persons should contact me via E-mail
Lender's Name: Rev.james smith
Lender's Email:afadanloanfirm.excharge@live.com

Best Regards
Rev.james smith

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam