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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • ",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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• 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: alfredmensah123@yahoo.fr
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2008 21:30:25 +0530 (IST)
Subject: YOUR URGENT ATTENTION IS REQUIRED


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: alfredmensah444@yahoo.in



- Dept. of Mines & Power Lome, Togo Republic. Dear Sir/Madam, Having consulted with my colleagues and based on the information gathered from the Togo Chambers of Commerce and Industry, I have the privilege to request your assistance to transfer the sum of $47,500,000.00 (Forty Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only) into any bank account that will be nominated by your humble self. The above sum resulted from an over-invoiced contract, executed under the dispensation of the late president of the Republic of Togo. This contract has completely been executed and commissioned in the past regime. The contract sum has also been paid to the original contractor long ago leaving behind a whooping balance of the above mentioned amount. This action was however intentional and since then the fund has been placed in a suspense account at The Central Bank of Togo . The Nations Apex Bank seeking an appropriate time for us to transfer the funds off-shores for our mutual benefits. We are now ready to transfer the fund overseas and that is where you come in. It is important to inform you that as civil servants, we are forbidden to operate a foreign account; that is why we require the assistance of a foreign partner. The total sum will be shared as follows: 70% for us, 25% for you and 5% for local and international expenses incidental to the transfer. The transfer is risk free on both sides. I am an accountant with the Ministry of Mines and Power (MM&P). If you find this proposal acceptable, we shall require the following documents :( a) your banker's name, telephone, account and fax numbers. (b) Your private telephone and fax numbers —for confidentiality andeasy communication. (c) Your letter-headed paper stamped and signed. Alternatively, we will furnish you with the text of what to type into your letter-headed paper, along with a break-down explaining, comprehensively what we require of you. The business will take us thirty (30) working days to accomplish. Please reply urgently. Yours Sincerely Alfred Mensah

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam