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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:
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "trunk box" (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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "george boaten" <georgeboaten05@gmail.com>
Reply-To: georgeboateng100@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:45:25 +0100
Subject: please treat as urgent


Dear Sir,
Permit me to introduce myself to you as Mr. George Boateng a Ghanaian born
in greater Accra Region of Ghana in sept 1969,
I am Custom officer and i have been in service for 12 years.

I discovered a consignment in our bondage warehouse belonging to American
citizen by name Mr. Jeffery Ripley with which I am reaching you.
I am suggesting that i can make arrangement to ship the consignment to you
diplomatically since there is no means to get hold on him,
I am saying this because if noting is done urgently the Government of Ghana
will confiscate the consignment.

The consignment is sealed in diplomatic trunk box and contain American
dollars amounted $7,200,000.00 after talking time to scan the box.
Meanwhile i will secure all the vital documents that will give the
transaction the needed legitimacy as well as identifying you the rightful
beneficiary before the shipment will commence.

If you accept to work with me, do not hesitate to call me on (+233206492834)
for more clarification.And you are also advised to treat this information
with utmost confidentiality to enable us achieve the desired results.

Upon the receipt of your e-mail to this message i shall details you on how
to proceed but be rest assured that the arrangement is top-notch and the
entire transaction will take less than seven days to be concluded. I express
my sincere appreciation, while awaiting your prompt response.

Yours truly,

Mr. George Boateng (Custom Officer)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam