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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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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. )
  • "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:02:57 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: URGENT REPLY


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

URGENT REPLY

- Beloved one, My name is Mrs.Gifty Abavana and I am living with AIDS.Ever since my husband, Hon. Lawrence R. Abavana, former Ghanaian Agriculture minister died of AIDS and I was tested positive of the AIDS virus, the mass media wouldn’t just let me and my family have peace again.Dear, my children have stopped going to school because they could no longer stand the humiliations from fellow students. The embarrassments are getting on my nerves but what can I do? I would have loved to travel out of the country to a place where I will have peace and spend the rest of my life with my children but I couldn’t make it for I am weak and severely sick.. Moreover, no Embassy would grant me Visa to your Country with my hairs withering and boils all over my body. I will like you to keep this to top secret and Confidential.From all indications, I know that my days are numbered. In the light of the above, I am contacted you to assist me to transfer out of Ghana, The SUM OF $15 Million USD and the 250kg of Gold which my husband Deposited s [GOLD TREASURES] with a security company for the up-keep Of my children. I want my children to come over to your country for there schooling as soon as this transaction is completed.My Dear, all I need is a sponsor who can finance this project and secondly after the fund is transferred into your account, YOU WILL INVEST THE MONEY FOR MY CHILDREN IN COMMERCIAL ESTATE OR ANY BUSINESS OF YOUR CHOICE. For your effort, I am prepared to give you 25% of the total funds.I am looking forward to hear from you while thanking you for your anticipated co-operation, in this regard I will also need your personal telephone and full name.Kind Regards,Mrs .Gifty Abavana

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam