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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "waiting for 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.
  
• 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.
  • +44
• 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.
  • jerrysmith4001@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Charles Mensah <charlesmensah_500@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2009 01:51:48 -0800 (PST)
Subject: BUSINESS INVESTMENT


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 =A0BUSINESS INVESTMENT=20

Dear Friend,

=A0
=A0
I am Mr.=A0Jerry Smith=A0a South Africa Citizen and I am contacting you wit=
h divine confidence for your assistance in investing in your country.I'm in=
terested in the
Manufacturing,Importation/Exportation of Rod/pipe fittings or in constructi=
on as the case may be,but if there is any investment plans that you think w=
ill be rather profitable,please don't hesitate to let me know.

For your assistance to my proposal I will be offering you 25% of the fund w=
hich will be invested in your country.

I am in UK/LONDON for now and shall be waiting to hear from you.Please Do f=
orward me your direct contact number for further telephone conversations an=
d for better understanding.=20
I can be reached on my personal email address: (jerrysmith4001@gmail.com an=
d you can contact me in my mobile number in London for more discusion: +44-=
70 31834567.

I will be waiting for your urgent response.
Best Regards,

Mr. Jerry Smith

=0A=0A=0A

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam