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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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)
• 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.
  • +447011147782 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
  • +440866403187
• 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.
  • topvaulting@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: Ming Yang <mingyangsp@yahoo.co.nz>
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2009 20:28:54 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: How Friend


Hello Friend,
 
Is hightime we communicate, how are you doing hope you are fine and i know
this will bring surprise and amazing look.
 
Please, sorry for not contacting you and i am sorry for not inform you
about a friend who finally assisted me in claiming the fund as donation to
the less privileged in your country. Well at this moment i will want you
to contact TOP ASSETS $ INVESTMENT LIMITED to release $8.3 million dollars
to you as the authorized  claim of the fund.
 
Here is their contact below:
 
Contact Person: Mr. Robert Smith.
(Director of Claims Dept)
Top Assets & Investment Limited
137 Broad Lane Coventry
West Midlands CV5 7AL
London, United Kingdom
Direct Email: topvaulting@gmail.com
Fax: +44 - 0866403187
Tel: +44-7011147782
 
I expect you to take 30% of this funds of $8.3 million dollars and donate
the rest to the less privileged home of your choice. And after the
donation i will want you to take photo with them. I will like to inform
you that, in 20hrs i will want death and out of the earth surface.
If you feel like don not contact and you will be ask that day, why let the
less privileged lack of their donor.
 
Take care and God bless you for fulfilly my wish and dream in my sick bed
here in custodian of hospitality. And i authorized you to claim this fund
within 7 working days.
 
God Bless...
 
Mr. Ming Yang.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam