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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:

• 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:
  • "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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (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.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • seduappiah@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "First NameMr.Sedu Appiah" <seduappiah@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:51:42 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: REFUGEE SEDU APPIAH FROM SOMALIA. URGENT


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: seduappiah@yahoo.com



- Good Day,My name is Sedu Appiah, I am a Somalia by nationality, 21yrs old.I just arrive Ghana yesterday with a United nation rescue team who came with plane to rescue people from the on going war in Somalia and I am very lucky and happy to be among the surviver because, my parents and 2 sisters were killed in front of me by rabels but to God be the glory, I am alive. I am contacting you in respect of one consignment box belonging to my late father and the box contained 7.2 Million Dollars clean and spendable cash with 2 gold wrist watch and because, I was so afraid for no body not to know what is inside the box,I broke the key on the padlock and I need your financial help to open the box because, I have this morning found a specialized engineer who is ready to cut the box open for me but, he emanded $1500 for his workmanship I am exosted and i want you to help me financially and also send me your name to receive money from Western Union because Immediately, the box is c!
ut open,I will fly to republic of Lome-Togo to send you $40.000 bit by bit via western union Lome-Togo because,I will want you to come to Africa,Lome-Togo to take me along with you to your country to give me secure home,good education and investment.I wait your urgent response. Sedu Appiah

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam