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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.

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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +2289186193 (Togo, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Barrister Williams Zolars <zolars_chambers_esq@yahoo.fr>
Date: Sat, 17 Jun 2006 11:37:47 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Treat as urgent.


Dear VICTIMNAME,

Thanks for your urgent reply towards this transaction,and i will not hesitate to furnish you with the procedure of this inheritance claim.

First I will like you to know that am the personal attorney to the deceased person and with my position here in my country i will make sure that this fund is been transfered to you as the right beneficiary. You don't have to worry about anything because all documents and proof to enable you get this fund will be carefully worked out by me for this claim as i have secured from the probate an order of Mandamus to locate any of the deceased beneficiaries so i assure you that this transaction is 100% risk free.

I will not like us to delay in this inheritance, we have to proceed immedaitly with this claim which i shall forward to you a text of application which you will have to use in contacting the bank.You know that this transaction must be kept secret for security seasons because i will not like a third party in this transaction untill the fund is been transfered into your account.

Finally,I will like you to provide me with your private telephone number so that i can reach you to discuss this on phone.Call me with this number +228 918 6193. i shall wait for your call Asap.

I await to hear from you so that i will forward the application text to you.

Thanks for your understanding and God bless you.

Regards,

Barrister Williams Zolars Esq.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam