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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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• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• 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: <jt1910@live.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:43:13 +0000
Subject: Dear Friend (Urgent Family Issue Concerning You and Your Family)



Dear Friend,

Compliment of the day.

I recently placed a classified inquiry in your country's high commission here in the UK regarding the late Peter a national of your country who died intestate (Without a WILL) with his entire family in 2006.

Your contact information was just forwarded to me today so i decided to make official contacts with you in regards the subject matter.

I advice that you confirm receipt of this email as soon as possible so that i can give you further detail on the subject matter.

Kind Regards,

John C Taylor
LLB (Hons), BA (Hons)
Principal Partner,
Taylor & Co. Solicitors

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam