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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:
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +22508157757 (Cote d'Ivoire, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Mariam A <mariam_far1976@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: ma1957@y7mail.com
Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 13:00:51 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: with interest


Dearest,
With warm heart i offer my friendship,and greetings and i hope this mail meets you in good faith.I am Mrs Mariam Alfarouk,i need your cooperation in an investment. I am in Abidjan,with my son williams.Please with us is the sum of  22 million Dollars, contained in one metallic trunk box and presently deposited in the vault of a reputable security company here in Abidjan.
 
My aim of contacting you is to seek your able assistance in reclaiming my box from the security company and transferring the money contained abroad to your designated account in your country and  as a business developer,you will also help us to wisely invest the money in areas you deem lucrative and finally obtain a residential permit for us to stay comfortable with you there.
 
For God's sake be merciful to us and assist us to transfer this money into your account in your country, because here i can not open an account in my name or my son's name.
We have agreed to offer to you 20% of the total sum in the box for your assistance and please i implore you to treat this transaction in all secrecy and confidentiality for security reasons for this is our life. You can  contact me for more details as soon as possible through my personal email or you can call me or my son on 00225 0815 7757 as I look forward to hearing from you.
 
May God Bless You In Abundance,
Thank  You,
Mariam ALFAROUK.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam