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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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• 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.

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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447040124843 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Atkins, Al" <a_atkins004@msn.com>
Reply-To: alfredatkins@zalau.ro
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2006 10:39:45 +0000
Subject: Service Enquiry

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is Alfred Atkins, a senior staff and executive
of a bank in Scotland, United Kingdom.I have only
written to seek your indulgence and assistance.

I wish to make a transfer involving a huge amount.I am
proposing to make this transfer to a designated bank
account of your choice.Thus, for your indulgence and
support(morally, financially etc.), I propose an
offer of 45% of the total amount to be yours after
the transfer has been successfully concluded.

Kindly reply me stating your interest, and I shall
furnish you with the details and necessary proceedure
with which to make the transfer.

I anxiously await your response.Thanks and Godbless.

Sincerely yours,
Atkins
.......................................

Atkins, Al (Ph.D)
Mobile: +44 7040124843

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam