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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:
  • "million us 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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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.
  • +2289438924 (Togo, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: goya_tamasa@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:00:38 -0800 (PST)
Subject: PLS THIS IS URGENT


¡Tengo nueva dirección de correo!Ahora puedes escribirme a:goya.tamasa@yahoo.com.pe



- From: Mr.Goya Tamasa Tell:+228-943-89-24.Dear One ,Forgive my indignation if this massage comes to you as a surprise and if it might offend you with out your prior consent and writing through this channel.I am in need of your assistance. My name is Mr.Goya Tamasa , I am in the Director of Ecowas Engineering military unit here in Lome -Togo, we have ($10 Million US dollars) that we want to move out of the country. My partners and I need a good partner someone we can trust. It is oil money and legal.But we are moving it through diplomatic means, to send it to your house directly or a bank of your choice using diplomatic courier service. The most important thing is that can we trust you? Once the funds get to you, you take your 50% out and keep our own 50%. Your own part of this deal is to find a safe place where the funds can be sent to. Our own part is sending it to you. If you are interested i will furnish you with more details. But the whole process is simple and we must keep a low profile at all times.I look forward to your reply and co-operation, and I thank you in advance as I anticipate your co-operation. You can reach me on cell phone +228-943-89-24.Waiting for your urgent response.Regards,Mr.Goya Tamasa.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam