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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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• 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:
  • "million pounds" (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)
  • ",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)
  • "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 "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Jan White" <jwhite@k12albemarle.org>
Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:50:06 -0500
Subject: Greetings in the name of God,

Greetings in the name of God,
Here writes Laura Kingston, suffering from cancerous ailment of the brain. I was married to Dr. Perry J. Kingston an English man who is now dead. Our life together as man and wife lasted for three decades without a child. My husband died after a protracted illness, before his death we made a vow to uplift the down-trodden and the less-privileged individuals. I can adduce this to the fact that he needed a Child from this relationship, which never came.
When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of £12,000,000.00 (Twelve Million Pounds sterling) which were derived from his vast estates and investment in capital market with his bank here in UK. Presently, this money is still with the Bank. Recently, my Doctor told me that I have limited days to live due to my illness, this is why I am contacting you to donate the fund to you to complete the wishes of my late Husband,
If you are interested, Please send your response to this email: mrslauk@live.com
Endeavor to send your reply to this email: mrslauk@live.com
Respectfully,
Mrs. Laura Kingston.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam