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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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• 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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
• 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.
  • chillyclinton@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "bruno mbah" <brunombah@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2005 07:55:56 +0000
Subject: HELP THE ORPHANS

Dear Sir/Madam,

I do not really wish to disturb you at this time of the day, however, I am
chilly, a banker in one of the biggest Nigerian banks. I am a new creature
in Christ Jesus (born again) In recent times, i have being mandated by the
holy spirit to cater for the motherless and those of less priviledge which
in turns warranted my esterblishing a motherless babies home other wise
called the little saints ophanage lacated in a small city called Egbeda in
Lagos Nigeria. I have up to 200 adult children, 84 children between the ages
of 12-20 and all of these kids are in one private school or the other, all
being clothed and feed by me alone but it is quite unfortunate that i lost
my job early this year and the savings that i was able to make inorder to
susten the lives of these children has being exhausted. I really do not know
what to do but while i was praying to God, he put in my heart to knock on
the doors of God fearing people like you for help.
Please it is not my wish but for the sake of God's work and that of the
lives of the little children who have nobody here on earth . I wish to say
thank you and may the almighty God abundantly reward you as you contribute
to the lives of these kids, really, no amount is too small .
For any help, please write us on chillyclinton@yahoo.com.
May God bless you and your familly.
Thank you.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam