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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
  
  
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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:
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +27840171727 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • dr_davis@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: dr.walter3@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 09 Jun 2006 15:12:22 +0200
Subject: Good Day From Walter

Good Day,

I am Dr. Walter Davis working with the Department of fund release order in one of the biggest financial institution in South Africa. I know this proposal will come to you as a surprise but I can assure you that you will not regret of been part of this mutual beneficial transaction.

Late Mr. Lee Tai Yun from South Korea executed a contract worth of US$25 Million Dollars through Ministry of Works here in South Africa, but on the process of approving the payment to him he died in tsunami disaster that happened in Asia. I am involving you to authenticate this claim and transfer the fund to your designated bank account as his next of kin.

If you are interested, kindly provide your phone/fax numbers and get in touch with me on this telephone number +27-84-017-1727 and email address: dr_davis@myway.com for more details.

Thanking you in advance.
Best regards,
Dr. Walter Davis.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam