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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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• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "funds to be released and transferred to you" (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)
  • "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: solicitorladam07@netscape.net
Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2006 06:14:22 -0400
Subject: jennifer,s attorney

This is to inform you that I have been informed by Mrs. Jennifer Wilson
of her intensions in WILLING $1.5 million US dollars to you. I will
immediately proceed in notifying Mrs. Jennifer Wilson's bank in order
forthe funds to be released and transferred to you.
She has WILLED the funds to you based on her own decision. I will
require the following information below to process the release of the
funds and notification to the bank.
1. Full name
2. Country of Residence
3. Telephone number.
Sincerely,
Lawrence Adams (Barr.At Law)
**SOLICITOR AND LEGAL PRACTITIONER**

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam