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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "trunk box" (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)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
• 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.
  • mailagneta@yahoo.com.au (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: mailagneta@sify.com
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:19:27 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Good to hear from you soon


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: mailagneta@yahoo.com.au



- Dear friend First of all let me introduce myself to you I am Agneta Jerk from from Sweeden. I am married to late Elov Jerk of blessed memory. We were married for eleven Years without a child, since his death I too have been battling with both cancer and fibroid problem. Recently, my doctor told me that I would not last for few months and having known my condition I Decided to donate my late husband's funds(US$5.5Million) deposited with a security company in Europe to any person that will Utilize this money for himself/herself and also for the Orphanages, widows so that we can make this world a better place, and as soon as I receive your reply, I will also issue an Order of authority to the security company, authorizing them that the said trunk box has been willed to you and a copy of such authorization will be forwarded to you. Any delay in your reply will give room in sourcing for another person / organization for this same purpose. Until I hear from you today unfailingly!
, My dream will rest squarely on Your shoulders. Do have a nice Day Agneta Jerk

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam