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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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • gilboumans@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: Mr Godfrey <Godfrey@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: gilboumans@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2006 20:52:36 +05-30
Subject: Urgent!!


Dear Sir,

My name is Godfrey the son of late General Robert Guei, Ex-Military head
of State of Ivory Coast who was murdered along with the Interior Minister on the 19th of September 2002. I contacted you because of my need to deal
with persons whom my family and l have had no previous personal relationships.
Since the murder of my father, I have been subjected to all sorts of
harassment and intimidation with lots of negative reports emanating from
the Government and the press about my family.The present Government has also ensured that our bank accounts are frozen and all assets seized.
It is view of this that I seek your co-operation and assistance in the
transfer of the sum of Nine Million United Dollars
(US$9,000,000.00) being the very last of my family fund in my possession
and control.
My only hope now is this cash that my father carefully packaged and
deposited as artifacts with a Security Company in Belgium.

To show my preparedness and appreciation to carry-our this business with
you,25% of the total sum will be your share and 20% commission of the
proceeds realized from the investment of this fund will also be yours, 5%
is to be set aside for any eventual cost that might arise as the transaction proceeds. I need your full support and co-operation for the success of this transaction. I plead with you to treat this issue confidential and urgent because it is delicate and it demand s a great degree of secrecy. I and my family are presently in the Ghana seeking Asylum.

I would want you to reach me through E-mail gilboumans@yahoo.com if you
are interested to assist me. I sincerely will appreciate your response.
Best Regards,

Godfrey.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam