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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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• 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.

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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • emmanuns@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "EMMANUEL TOUNS" <emmanueltouns@msn.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 09:47:19 +0000
Subject: hello my friend please help me

FROM THE DESK OF : DR.EMMANUEL TOUNS
NIGERIA NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION
FALOMO IKOYI,
LAGOS

ATTN: SIR/MADAM,
I am the Chairman of the Contract award committe,Federal Ministry of
Petroleum resources,Nigeria.I am in search of an agent to assist us in the
transfer of Fifty Million and Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars
and subsequent investment in properties in your country. You will be
required to :

[1]. Assist in the Transfer of the said Sum
[2]. Advice on Lucrative areas of Investment
[3]. Assist us in purchase of properties.
If you decide to render your service to us in this regard,you will be
compensated with 20% of the total sum.
Please reply to Indicate your Willingness in Assisting us with this email
address [emmanuns@yahoo.co.uk] indicating if you can assist, so that I
will give you full details about this project, please do include your
direct Telephone and Fax numbers for easier communication.
Thanks for your Anticipated Assistance.

Yours Sincerely,
DR. EMMANUEL TOUNS
[CHAIRMAN OF THE CONTRACT AWARD COMMITTE].

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam