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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Laura Onu" <mrslauraonu0096@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mrslauraonu@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2009 10:49:29 +0000
Subject: I need your help.



I need your help.
Dear Friend,

I am Mrs. Laura Onu, a widow to Late John Onu, I am a Christian, suffering from long time cancer of the breast.



My condition is really deteriorating and is quite obvious that I may not live more than 3 months, because the cancer stage has gotten to a very severe stage. My late husband was killed during the Gulf war, and during the period of our marriage we had Kid.



My late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his business and wealth. My personal physician told me that I may not live for more than 3 months and I am so scared about this. So, I now decided to divide part of this wealth, by contributing to the development of charity in Africa, America, Europe and Asian Countries. I selected you after visiting the website for this purpose and prayed over it, I am willing to donate the sum of Eight Million Five hundred thousand United States dollars ($8,500,000.00) to the motherless babies' homes, needy, poor, charity homes and widows too.



Please note that, this fund is lying with a Bank in a fixed Deposit account, therefore I will file an immediate application for the Release of the Funds to you in your name. I want you to be praying for me as regards my entire life and my health because I have come to find out since my spiritual birth lately that wealth acquisition without Jesus Christ in one s life is vanity upon vanity. If you have to die says the Lord, keep fit and I will give you the crown of life. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the Sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit is with you.



I await your urgent reply.

Yours in Christ
Mrs. Laura Onu.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam