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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:
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Michael William" <michaelwilliams404@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 11:24:46 +0200
Subject: Urgent family Assistance!

>From : Michael Williams
TEL: +27737707042
FAX: +27838908518

URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL
Kindly accept my apology for sending my email to you. I want you to
trust me and help me and my family out in this our condition. Though, I
do not know what extent you are familiar with event and fragile political
situation in Liberia, but it has formed consistent headline in the CNN, BBC
news
bulletins.
My Name is Mr Michael Williams from Liberia, a Country in West
Africa. My late father is Benson Nuhan Williams, Deputy Minister of
public Works in Liberia. My father was falsely accused of plotting to remove
the President Of Liberia, Charles Taylor from office. Without trial,
Charles Taylor killed him. You can verify this from some of the
International
newspapers posted in the web sites below:
htt://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2003-07-15-liberia_x.htm
Before my father was killed, he move out $16 million dollars through a
diplomatic means, and deposited it with a Security Firm in
Johannesburg, South Africa. All that is required, from you is to come
down to South Africa where we are presently staying to assist us as a
foriegn partner
in the clearing and transfer of the fund out of South Africa and advise me
on
lucrative areas of investment of which you will be the caretaker till I
am familier with your country. And also assist me in purchase of properties
in your country.
If you are interested to assist me in this regard, I will give you 40%
of the total sum and 5% will be for any expenses you undergo during
the transaction and 55% for my family and your family business partnership
under your care in your country. You should please kindly include your
private Telephone and Fax numbers for easier communication.
Waiting for your urgent reply

Mr. Michael Williams

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam