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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• 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:
  • "hundred thousand united state dollars" (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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +22508058646 (Cote d'Ivoire, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:45:57 GMT
Subject: Hello Friend !!! Pls Urgent for you to call me

Hello Friend !!! Pls Urgent for you to call me

Hello Friend!!
I am Mr. Victor Hugo I am a Transfer Supervisor in one of the prime bank here in Abidjan Cote D' Ivoire. I have a transaction of mutual benefits, which I like to share with you, as you co-incidentally bear the same last name with my late client.

It involves an amount of Twenty Five Million, Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars only (US$25.5M) in our Bank, which I like to acquire with your help and you will be compensated adequately as your commission hence your involvement requires.

If you are interested to work with me please reply instantly with your contact information and forward your telephone number so we may discuss and I shall provide you with the details of this transaction.

We shall discuss about sharing modalities upon your good interest to work with me as partner.Please do reply immediately or call me at this number +225-0805-8646, if this offer interest you.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Victor Hugo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam