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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "trunk box" (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)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Fina George <finageorge2005@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: finageorge20005@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Thu, 7 May 2009 19:00:35 +0900 (JST)
Subject: I need your help

Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

I know that this will usher in a sincere relationship base on transparent honesty. I am Miss Fina George, 18 years and the only child (daughter) of late Chief George Ihuoma from Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire) in West Africa. My late father was an Abidjan based timber and cocoa merchant. It is
obvious that, this mail will appear to you as a surprise because we are yet to know ourselves but, I believe that true relationship begins in one day if trust and understanding reign. I have my reason for establishing a new relationship for the purpose of this transaction and that I shall relate
to you as we proceed.

My contacting you is for you to help me for the retrieval and investment of my inheritance (US$7.5Million) which is presently contained inside a trunk box which my late father deposited under the custody of a security company here Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire) before he died.

For your sincere effort in helping me to retrieve this trunk box and safe-keep the funds in your country pending when I will come over to meet with you, I have resolved to give you 15% of the total sum.

Your quick and positive response to this mail will save a soul, as I am passing through a difficult situation here.

Thanks and remain blessed.

Miss Fina.



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam