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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:
  • "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: hello2u1@vp.pl
Reply-To: ffddww@terra.com
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 23:12:29 +0000
Subject: Why I contacted you (From Mrs. Florence)-

Dearest one,


Good day and compliments of the seasons. I am Mrs. Florence Decca Wilson an aging widow of 45 years old suffering from NECK CANCER. I am from Sierra-Leone but lived in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire. I am writing you this massage from my sick bed in the hospital. It is with the assistance of one of the nurses here and my only son Ubanna a 17yeras old boy that I am able to write you this email for your assistance.

I inherited from my late husband, the sum $7.500,000.00 which he deposited in one of the good banks here for purchase of cocoa procession machines and development of another factory in the name of our only son Ubanna and also use part for the well-being of the poor in the world, unfortunately, he died not meeting up his target. I needed you being a very honest and God fearing person to receive this money in your account for the fulfillment of my late husband's dream. I found you as a person that can be trusted and i decided to contact you if you may be willing and interested to receive this fund in your account and to help to fulfill this dream since i am sick and unable to do any thing.

I am desperately in need of your assistance and I have summoned up courage to contact you for this purpose. Please if you would be able to use the funds as i directed you herein let me know immediately in your reply e-mail for further details and directives. I am willing to offer you 15% of this total sum and another 5% for any expenses which you may incur in this transaction.

You urgent reply is needed because any delays in your replying will give me room to look for another person else to handle this task on my behalf.

Warmest Regards,
ONE WITH LOVE AND BEST WISHES!!!

From your beloved sister,
Florence D. Wilson and son Ubanna.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam