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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Mr.Johnson Kwesi <johnson_kwesi@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: j_kwesi@rediffmail.com
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 15:32:37 +0400
Subject: Re: Sir, thanks for your benevolence


From The Desk of: MR. JOHNSON KWESI
DIRECTOR, PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF LOCAL AND
RURAL DEVELOPMENT,
ACCRA,GHANA.

DEAR SIR,

TRANSFER OF US$35.5 MILLION INTO A PERSONAL/COMPANY'S
OFFSHORE ACCOUNT.

Based on the information gathered from the Ministry of Trade and
Industry, we intend to solicit for your assistance on this transaction, with the assumption that you will not disappoint us.
We have Thirty Five Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars (US$35,500,000.00) which we made over time from over inflated contracts in my Ministry (Federal Ministry of Health and Social Services).
We are seeking your assistance and permission to remit this amount into your account or any other nominated account you can provide for us.

Your commission will be 20% of the total sum,10% for expenses and the
Remaining 70% is for my colleagues and myself.
Could you please notify me of your acceptance to carry out this transaction urgently by e-mail only on the receipt of this message? Kindly, acknowledge the receipt of this letter by sending to me by email a copy of this letter with your private Tel. And Fax number.
I shall in turn inform you of the modalities for a formal application to secure the necessary approvals for the immediate release of this fund into your account.

Thanks for your co-operation in advance.

Yours faithfully,
Johnson Kwesi

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam