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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:
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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)
  • "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Michel Robert" <michelrbet@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:26:41 -0800
Subject: Business Attention

Dear Friend,

I write to solicit your assistance in the execution of a
transaction of mutual benefit.

I work for a prime bank in Amsterdam, Netherlands as an
independent auditor, during my last auditing activities I
realized an unclaimed Bank Draft of Euro 8,528,000 (Eight
Million Five Hundred and Twenty Eight Thousand Euro).

Further investigation on my part led to the fact that these
funds actually belong to nobody as it was originally prepared in
error as an over draft payment for a contract executed since
1990, since that time these funds has been unclaimed.

With my influence I am very confident that I can present
you as the suppose beneficiary of these funds, which would be
transferred to you for the benefit of the two of us, be rest assured that
all
legal documentations would be strictly complied with making this
transaction 100% safe and risk free.

Should you be willing to assist me in this transaction, so
I can further inform you on how we intend to carry out this
transaction, the funds shall be shared 50/50 between the two
of us at the completion of this transaction.

I await your urgent response.

Regards,

Mr. Michel Robert

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam