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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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• 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:
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "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)
• 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.
  • +447045709390 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • pgtclaimsagency@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: pgtclaimsagency@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:40:28 -0000
Subject: Reference Number 22987145398



--
PEUGEOT AUTOMOBILES LOTTERY
Essex , PE9 2YP , London
FROM:Mr.Villiger Markus
Lottery Account Manager

WINNING NOTICE!!!

Dear Lucky Winner,
Your email address just won you £500,000.00(Five Hundered Thousand Great
British Pounds) and a brand new Peugeot 407 car in the ongoing Peugeot
weekly sweepstakes draws held today. Your email address was attached to Pin
No:LS2374986 Reference Number 22987145398. Contact the Claims Agent with the
below datas

..Ref number.
..Pin number.
..Name in full.
..Address.
..Occupation.
..Age/Sex.
..Present Country.
..Tel/fax

Claims Agent
Mr Avid John,
Call: +447045709390
AND EMAIL DETAILS TO : pgtclaimsagency@gmail.com

Sincerely
Mr.Villiger Markus
Lottery Manager.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam