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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:
  • "million 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)
• This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: =?utf-8?q?Gerald=20Welsh?= <geraldwelsh4321ju@yahoo.com.co>
Reply-To: geraldwelsh1234uj@googlemail.com
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:36:01 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Dear Friend,do please, handle this project


¡Tengo nueva dirección de correo!Ahora puedes escribirme a:geraldwelsh4321ju@yahoo.com.co



- As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because I believe every one will die someday. My name is Jones Gerald Welsh a crude oil dealer i am 51 yrs of age I lost my wife and two dauthers in a car accident . I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer and have been in the hospital . It has defied all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have about few months to live, according to the medical experts. I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone (not even myself) but my business and wealth. I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul, so I have decided to give alms to charity organizations,as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth before Gods call. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations hear in , Algeria ,Malaysia and also the Tsunami victims The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of eight million united states dollars ($8.000.000) that I have with a finance and trust Company in Europe. I would want you to help me collect this deposit and distribute it to charity organizations in your country.I would want you to keep 20% of the funds to yourself and dispatch the rest to charity organizations. Please reply this mail as soon as possible even if you cannot handle this transaction on my behalf.Jones Gerald Welsh.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam