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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found 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.
  • +2348023958453 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • michaelnen50@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Ben Michael <benmichael01@msn.com>
Reply-To: <michaelben50@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 25 May 2009 10:13:48 +0000
Subject: I need your urgent help



Good Day ,

I am Dr. Ben-Michael by name an Ex-Minister in my Country Nigeria, hereby this day asking for your personal directives and helps.

I want to come to your country to invest on a business that is lucreative.But i will like you to inform me on the best known business in your country that can move fast and gives money.

I will also buy a house where i can live in your country while investing.

Please get to me if you can handle this project because once i get the money transferd into your account, i will come down to your country with my family for us to start the project.

Kindly reply me through this email michaelnen50@yahoo.com or call/text message on my mobile phone. +2348023958453

Thanks and i am hoping to hear from you sooonest.
Ben-Michael

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam