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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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "trunk box" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
• 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.
  • makolly_konate4@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "KONATE MAKOLLY" <konate_makolly@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: makolly_konate4@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 13:15:09 +0000
Subject: I NEED YOUR ASISSTANCE.

My Dear,
I am Mr Makolly Konate frrom free town.I am 25 years old and presently residing in Dakar-Senegal because of the political crisis in my Country. I got your contact in strict confidence through Senegal Chamber of Commerce.
I would Honestly want to seek for an immediate assistance from you, I have $10.5 Million US dollars belonging to my late Father Mr muzuma konate who was held bondage by the Rebels during the crisis and was letter killed.
I ran to Senegal refugee Camp when I Discovered danger to my life untill the death of my beloved father he paked the above mentioned Amount in a METAL TRUNK BOX and deposdit it with a SECURITY COMPANY in Europe for safe keeping i have every Documents regards the transaction I have contacted the SECURITY COMPANY and confirmed the safety of the money/inheritance, As it is, I have the intention of investing the money oversees and however needed a Foreigner who is capable of giving adequate assistance to me by the way of clearing the money from the SECURITY COMPANY and thereafter forwarding it to your Account for investments.
I have nice percentage of the money for you. If Necessary, Please do feel free to ask me questions on this as I wait for your reply soonest. makolly_konate4@yahoo.com
THANKS
Makolly Konate

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam