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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• 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)
• 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.
  • infogodfrey@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Godfrey <godfrey@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: infogodfrey@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2006 15:00:55 +0000
Subject: Re: Urgent Matter


Dear Travis McGee,

My name is Godfrey the son of late General Robert Guei, Ex-Military
head of State of Ivory Coast who was murdered along with the Interior
Minister on the 19th of September 2002. I contacted you because of my
need to deal with persons whom my family and l have had no previous
personal
relationships.
Since the murder of my father, I have been subjected to all sorts of
harassment and intimidation with lots of negative reports emanating
from the Government and the press about my family.The present
Government
has also ensured that our bank accounts are frozen and all assets
seized.
It is view of this that I seek your co-operation and assistance in the
transfer of the sum of Nine Million United Dollars (US$9,000,000.00)
being the very last of my family fund in my possession and control.My
only hope now is this cash that my father carefully packaged and
deposited as artifacts with a Security Company in Belgium.
To show my preparedness and appreciation to carry-our this business
with you,25% of the total sum will be your share and 20% commission of
the
proceeds realized from the investment of this fund will also be yours,
5% is to be set aside for any eventual cost that might arise as the
transaction proceeds. I need your full support and co-operation for the
success of this transaction. I plead with you to treat this issue
confidential and
urgent because it is delicate and it demands a great degree of secrecy.
I am
presently in Belgium now, seeking political Asylum.
I would want you to reach me through E-mail infogodfrey@yahoo.com
I will sincerely appreciate our response .
Best Regards,
Godfrey.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam