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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • ",000,000" (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 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.
  • mustapha_abachaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa@yahoo.co.jp

Fraud email example:

From: Mustapha Abacha <mustapha_abachaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: mustaphaabba@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:44:51 +0900 (JST)
Subject: URGENT INVESTMENT PROPOSAL.

$B?7$7$$%a!<%k%"%I%l%9$r$*CN$i$;$7$^$9?7$7$$%a!<%k%"%I%l%9!'(B mustapha_abachaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa@yahoo.co.jp

My name is Mustapha Abacha the senior son of the late president of Nigeria General Sanni Abacha.Due to the restrictions placed on my family from travelling outside Nigeria I would want you to help me take custody of the sum of $10,000,000 I kept in a Finance company abroad and invest it for me.

- Mustapha Abacha

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam