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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: sgtjoey@therugby.co.za
Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 13:49:35 +0200
Subject: YOUR KIND ATTENTION

FROM: Sgt. John J. Guy
Important Message

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is John J. Guy I am an American soldier, I am serving in the military of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regimient,Patrols Tal Afar, in Iraq. I am presently in Kuwait for the mean time. I apologized using this medium to reach you for a transaction/business of this magnitude. Please view this link to see my picture:
http://www4.army.mil/armyimages/armyimage.php?photo=9169 and
http://www4.army.mil/armyimages/armyimage.php?photo=7990.

We have in our possession the sum of US$25,000,000.00 (Twenty Five Million
US Dollars), which belongs to Saddam Hussein. These funds have been moved
and kept safe in a Security Company, please view this link for more details:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm

Basically since we are working for the American Government, we cannot keep
these funds, but we want to transfer and move the funds to you, so that you
can keep it for us in your safe account or an offshore account.

I have the authority of my partners involved to propose that should you be
willing to assist us in this transaction, your share of the sum will be 30%
of the US$25 million, 60% for us and 10% will be kept aside for expenses and
rest assure that this business is 100% safe on your part provided you treat
it with utmost secrecy and confidentiality.

Therefore, if you are interested, please reply immediately via my private email address: joeyprivatemail@earthlink.net with your Full Name, Current Mailing Address and your confidential Telephone and Fax numbers for easy
communication. Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details that will help you understand the transaction.

Please observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that this business is risk free.

Respectfully submitted
Sgt. John J. Guy

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam