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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:
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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • ",000,000" (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)
• 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: <phillipdennis444@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2008 19:24:32 +0000
Subject: AWAITING YOUR RESPONSE



Dear Friend,


My name is Mr Phillip Dennis from 47 Vinters Avenue,Stevenage-herts,United Kingdom.I am a Dubai Merchant,last four months my doctor discovered i have esophageal cancer.As regards to that,i have only few weeks to live on this earth.I am a wealthy stinking rich man,all i have concentrated in life is making money for myself.I have never taught of helping humanity and the less privileged.


In the year 2001,i deposited a huge sum of $37,000,000 USD(Thirty Seven Million United States Dollar)in a bank in Africa.Due to my abysmal state of health now,i cannot be able to deposit the funds to less privileged and charity homes before my demise. I need your urgent help to receive the money on my behalf as my beneficiary and deposit them to the less privileged and charity homes.My sole reason for contacting you is because you are a foreigner,and its only a foreigner that has the legal rights to become a beneficiary to a foreign bank account.


Medically,the doctor has confirmed that i will die very soon,but i want to die a happy man so that my soul will rest in perfect peace,to acheive that,i want to make 100% sure that this money gets to the less privileged and charity homes before i die. Therefore,i want you to help me claim the funds, receive them as my beneficiary and deposit them to the less privileged and charity homes.


After receiving the money from the bank,you will donate 80% of the money to the less privileged and charity homes while you keep the remaining 20% for yourself.I believe you will help me actualize this project since i am no longer opportuned to execute it myself due to my extremely bad health condition.As you accept to help me,so shall God give you more blessings in all your endevours.I will be waiting for your prompt positive response.Remain blessed.


Regards,
Mr Phillip Dennis.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam