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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "please indicate your willingness" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • ericsonadama_000012@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: James Kofe <jameskofe_20@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:55:55 -0800 (PST)
Subject: GOOD DAY//////////


Sir/

=A0

=A0

This message might meet you in utmost surprise. However, it all just my urg=
ent need for a foreign partner that made me to contact you for this transac=
tion. I got your contact from yahoo tourist search while i was searching fo=
r a foreign partner. I assured of your capability and reliability to champi=
on this business opportunity when i prayed to God or Allah about you.

I am a banker by profession in ACCRA GHANA WEST AFRICA and currently holdin=
g the post of assistant foreign remittance director in our bank. I have the=
opportunity of transferring the left over funds ($11. 3 Million Dollars) o=
f one of my bank clients who died along with his entire family
on the 6th of january 2004 in a plane crash.

Hence; i am inviting you for a business deal where this money can be shared=
between us in the ratio of 60/40 if you agree to my business proposal. Fur=
ther details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as i receive =
your return mail immediately=A0 you receive this letter.

Please indicate your willingness by sending the below information for more
clarification and easy communication.

=A0 (1) YOUR FULL NAME
=A0 (2) YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS
=A0 (3) YOUR TEL AND FAX NUMBER

ericsonadama_000012@yahoo.com
Trusting to hear from you immediately.
& Best Regards,
JAMES KOFE
=0A=0A=0A

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam