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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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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)
  • "million pounds" (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)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Steve Smith" <stvsmth22@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 06:02:03 -0700
Subject: Hi,


Hello dear reader,

I am Mr Steve Smith, a retired hospital porter, aged 58. I am married to my
wife Mrs. Ida Smith with no kids. I am currently suffering from a
Potentially Fatal Heart Defect which means i have few days left to leave on
this Earth as my team of doctors has pronounced.

I am currently the winner of the Britains National Lottery worth 19million
pounds (38Million Dollars) held last month, January 2008. It was by an extra
stroke of luck that my wife and I stopped off on the way home from a family
visit to buy some lucky dip tickets and it was one of those which hit the
jackpot.

Please see these web sites:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4382482a4560.html

http://peilo.com/tag/steve-smith/

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL3071694420080131?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

My tragedy: There are no shops in the cemetary. And moreover, my beloved
wife Ida, was hit by high blood pressure which ended up in paralyses of the
right limbs, on the 1st of JULY, 2008. The world has ended for me. My wife
and i have just decided to distirbute the money to CHARITY. I am contacting
you to be of charity with this money. I have lodged this money in one the
leading banks in England here after collecting the won amount in cheque.
This cheque has since cleared into my bank account. I want you to confirm
that you will help me to distribute this money to CHARITY /CHARITY HOMES and
MOTHERLESS BABIES HOMES in and around your location. I want you to also use
this money as aid to poor waring countries especially in AFRICA where the
rate of poverty is high. Please promise me you will do all these for me, my
wife and for my soul so i can rest in peace when it is time.
Do give your phone number and Fax number so i can contact with the necessary
vital documents for the claim and i would like to talk with you on phone
too.

Yours in Charity,
Steve Smith.
Britain's National Lottery Winner 'Jan 2008 Edition'

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam