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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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • ",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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: esther.tsikata_private1@o2.pl
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:59:23 +0100
Subject: YOUR URGENT ATTENTION


Attn:
I am Mrs. Esther Tsikata, wife of the former Chief Executive Officer of the
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation. My Husband Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata, was
jailed five years for willfully because of financial loss to the state. Why
I contacted you is that I want you to help me execute USD$28,000,000.00
which my husband was deposited in a security company before the problem
started. I will like to move this money to your country on your acceptance
so then I will fly to your country and meet you with my children. Please if
you can be able to assist me as a partnership then send me your telephone
number so that we can discuss more about it.

My Regards,
Mrs. Esther Tsikata.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam