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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.
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +27839580445 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • engstevebotha@webmail.co.za (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Eng Steve Botha" <engstevebotha02@sify.com>
Reply-To: engstevebotha@webmail.co.za
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 04:16:41 -0700
Subject: meeting


*Attn: I am Eng, Steve Botha. I am making this contact with you based on the
transfer of a legitimate contract payment of US$14.5M. I work with the
Department of Minerals & Energy, South Africa . I need you to receive this
contract payment on my behalf and your share as compensation in the US$14.5M
will be 30%, i receive 60% while 10% for taxes and miscellaneous expenses.
If you willing to work with me in this transaction, kindly provide your
direct tale/fax number your full names, age,country& occupation/position, so
that I can call to give you a comprehensive details on what we are to do
immediately. Please do email me back as you receive this email. Note that
time is of great essence in this transaction. Await your prompt response.My
private email:** **engstevebotha@webmail.co.za Tel:+27-83958 0445*

*Do please send me all your details:*

*TEL/FAX NO....................................... *

*CEL NUMBER....................................... *

*NAME IN FULL.....................................*

*ADDRESS.......................................... *

*COUNTRY.......................................... *

*OCCUPATION/POSITION..............................*

*AGE..............................................*

*Sincerely Yours,*

*Eng.** Steve Botha.***

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam