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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.

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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)
  • "million us dollars" (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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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: "SERGEANT L. BOYD" <sgtleeboyd@walla.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: sgtleeboyd@myway.com
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 11:42:37 +0000
Subject: SHIPMENT FROM IRAQ




Dear Sir/Madam,

I am in need of your assistance. My name is Sgt Lee Boyd. I am in the Engineering military unit here in Ba'qubah in Iraq,
we have about $25 Million US dollars that we want to move out of the country. My partners and I need a good partner someone
we can trust. It is oil money and legal.We are moving it through diplomatic means, to send it to your house directly or a bank of your
choice using diplomatic courier service. The most important thing is that can we trust you? Once the funds get to you, you take your
50% out and keep our own 50%. Your own part of this deal is to find a safe place where the funds can be sent to. Our own part is sending
it to you. If you are interested i will furnish you with you with more details. But the whole process is simple and we must keep a low profile at
all times.Can i trust you and will you help? Waiting for your urgent response.

Your Army in Iraq.
Sgt Lee Boyd

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam