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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.

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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • grobtwilliams_1@yahoo.com.hk

Fraud email example:

From: =?big5?q?Williams=20Robert?= <robtwilliams_1@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: rebortwilliams@cooltoad.com
Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2006 09:28:57 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Get back to me, Please!!!!!


§Ú¦³·sªº¹q¶l¦a§}¡I§A²{¥i¹q¶lµ¹§Ú¡Grobtwilliams_1@yahoo.com.hk

Dear Friend,

This mail is strictly confidential and is for your urgent attention only. It is indeed my pleasure to write you this letter, which I believe will be a surprise to you as we have never met before, and I am deeply sorry if I have in any manner disturbed your privacy. Please forgive this unusual manner of contacting you, but this particular letter is of exceptional and very private nature. There is absolutely going to be a great doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this email, coupled with the fact that, so many individuals have taken possession of the Internet to facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby making it extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate business class persons to get attention and recognition. There is no way for me to know whether I will be properly understood, but it is my duty to write and reach out to you.

I am a British and currently in Africa. I have Large sum of money for INVESTMENT. I am searching for a reliable person in a position of trust to help receive these funds for investment.

If you would like to assist me as a partner, kindly indicate your interest by responding to this e-mail so as to discuss all modalities. All other information relating to the presence of the funds will be revealed to you as we progress.

I thank you for your anticipated cooperation and understanding.

I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

Best regards,

Robert Williams

- Williams Robert

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam