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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:
  • "huge amount of money" (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)
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
• 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.
  • raywikinsteam@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: Sgt Wikins <raywikinsteam@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: raysgtwilkins_usarmy@live.com
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:39:20 -0800 (PST)
Subject: REPLY IS VERY URGENT,THANK YOU.


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: raywikinsteam@yahoo.com



- Sir/Madam,We are team (THREE IN NUMBER) of American troops writing from Baghdad , Iraq , we are urgently seeking for your willingness to secure the below consignment. The goods consist of huge amount of money in sealed boxes.At this moment, we have already ship these goods (money) outside Iraq for safekeeping through a very strong security company but due to law and restriction order we are unable to transport the goods to America ; the security company now shipped it to SPAIN for safety in their vault warehouse. That is the reason we are soliciting for your interest to assist us in receiving the goods on our behalf. Out of the US$29.5 million in cash, we are only ready to relinquish US$5.5 million to you if you can assist us secure this money in your country or any safe place.We will appreciate your effort to reach us through email confirming your interest to our proposal. As soon as we receive your positive reply we will give you the contact of the trusted security company as the owner of the consignments.The only telephone access we have is radio message which is for our general use and is being monitored therefore all communication will be via email till we finish our assignment here and fly straight to your country to meet you. Thank God that the new President – Elect, Barack Obama whose keen interest is call us back home soon. Yours truly,SGT.Wilkins Ray and Team REPLY BACK VIA E-MAIL: raysgtwilkins_usarmy@live.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam