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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "search for a reliable person" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million united state 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• 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.
  • don_william222@hotmail.com
  • don_williams222@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Don Williams" <don_williams222@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:05:35 -1200
Subject: I WAIT YOUR URGENT REPLY.

Hello Friend.

My name is Mr Don Williams. and I am contacting You in
regards to some Funds deposited with a Bank here in
[Nigeria] by my late Client Roy J. who is now deceased and
Leaving no known relatives to claim the estate.

After a series of search for a reliable person who I Can
establish in claim of the estate, I contacted you and my
contact with you is based on a Legitimate arrangement. This
is because it is now my sole responsibility to Present any
person of my choice in the claim, which will make it very
possible for The estate valued at US$5.5Million United
State Dollars, To be transferred to you without any hitch.
Due to the importance of this matter, I would Appreciate if
you can email me Immediately on
[don_william222@hotmail.com] To enable me detail you
further about this matter. I do understand that this will
sound so skeptical but I assure you that it Is legitimate.
Please you are not compelled to proceed With me because I
require Someone that is highly responsible and trust
worthy. I will not release every information regarding this
Matter until I hear back From you. Then if I am satisfied I
will detail you With every information regarding this
Transaction and also give you more information about Myself
to enable you have an Idea of the person that you are
dealing with. We shall Negotiate on the percentage Split
during our future correspondence. I await your immediate
contact. Please get in touch with me via
E-mail:(don_williams222@hotmail.com)with the below details
immediately you acknowledge the good receipt of this
message.

Full Name:
Full Address:
Mobile Number:
Occupation:
Country of Origin:

God bless.

Mr Don Williams.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam