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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
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• 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:
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:18:08 -0500
Subject: Dear Good Friend,Please reply to my very confidential email address (alicecreek01@live.com)

Dear Good Friend,
I am Mrs.Alice Creek from Solomon Islands.
I am married to Late Mr.John W. Creek who worked with MULTINATIONAL OIL COMPANY EXXON AS A DRILLING RIG SUPPLIER in KUWAIT for nine years before he died on the 15th August 2005. We were married for eleven years without a child. Since his death I decided not to remarry. When he was alive he Deposited the sum of Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollar ($8,500,000.00) with a bank In Europe and this fund is presently with the finance firm awaiting my disbursement as beneficiary and next of kin to the funds. Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next Eight months due to cancer problem.Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a church,organization or good person that will utilize this money to help the less priviledge and the needy. I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not Christians,it had been their wish to see my husband dead for them to inherit his wealth.they have squandered much of my husbands hard earned money already. This is why I am taking this decision. I will also issue a letter of authorization to the bank that will prove you the present beneficiary of this money. I also want you to always uplift me in prayer.I await your swift responds. Your sister.
Mrs Alice Creek
Please reply to my very confidential email address below
Email: alicecreek01@live.com <mhtml:{D34197B8-DEB1-412F-AF10-4EB791B08111}mid://00000001/!x-usc:mailto:alicecreek01@live.com>

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam