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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• 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:
  • "million 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.
  
• 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.
  • richardatbrook@netscape.net

Fraud email example:

From: MR RICHARD BROOK <richardatbrook@netscape.net>
Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2006 18:50:43 +0100
Subject: BUSINNESS PROPOSAL


DEAR SIR,
THIS LETTER MAY COME TO YOU AS A SURPRISE BUT IT WAS
OUT OF MY DESIRE TO SHARE THIS MUTUAL PROPOSAL WITH
YOU, I GOT YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS THROUGH THE CHAMBERS
OF COMMERCE IN NETHERLAND
MY NAME IS MR.RICHARD S GENERAL SECRETARY IN
ASSOCIATE FINANCIAL SECURITIES COMPANY HERE IN NETHERLANDS
THERE IS A CONSIGNMENT CONTAINING A
SUM OF (30,000,000.00USD)THIRTY MILLION UNITED STATES
DOLLARS DEPOSITED IN OUR COMPANY FOR SAFE KEEPING BY
ONE MR. GUEI WALTER BEFORE HIS DEATH, NO ONE HAS COME
TO CLAIM THIS CONSIGNMENT AS A BENEFICIARY TILL DATE.
I AM HONORABLY SEEKING FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE AS
FOLLOWS:
(1) I WANT YOU TO ACT AS A BENEFICIARY
(2) I WANT YOU TO PROVIDE A BANK ACCOUNT WHERE THIS
MONEY WILL BE TRANSFERRED
I WILL PROVIDE YOU THE ENTIRE NECESSARY DOCUMENT FOR
THIS CONSIGNMENT TO PROVE THE CONSIGNEE AS A
BENEFICIARY TO THE COMPANY, 40% OF TOTAL AMAOUNT
MAPPED OUT FOR YOU WHILE THE 60% MAPPED OUT FOR ME.
IF YOU ARE OKAY WITH MY CONDITION DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT
ME ON (richardatbrook@netscape.net) SO THAT I CAN
FURNISH YOU UP WITH ALL THE INFORMATION NEEDED,
I WISH TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON.
FOR QUICK RESPONSE PLEASE REPPLY TO
richardatbrook@netscape.net THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION
MR RICHARD BROOK

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam