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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• 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.
  • drdanmusa050@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "drdanmusa" <drdanmusa@terra.com.mx>
Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2006 22:06:03 -0600
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE


FROM THE DESK OF
DR.DAN MUSA
DEAR SIR,

REQUEST ASSISTANCE/PARTNERSHIP IN A TRANSFER.

I AM A MEMBER OF A CONTRACT AWARD AND REVIEW COMMITTEE. A CONTRACT ALREADY EXECUTED BY A FOREIGN FIRM IN AFRICA IN 2002 WAS OVER- INVOICED BY US TO THE TUNE OF US$35.5M (THIRTY-FIVE MILLION, FIVEHUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS ONLY.

IN THE LIGHT OF THE ABOVE, I ASKED YOU FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE TRANSFER OF THE EXCESS FLOATING IN A SUSPENCE ACCOUNT INTO A FOREIGN ACCOUNT YOU MAY WISH TO PROVIDE, FOR IT WAS A CATEGORY "A" CONTRACT,(STRICTLY RESERVED FOR A FOREIGN CONTRACTORS) THIS INFORM MY REQUEST, AND ALSO THAT I AM FORBIDDEN BY MY GOVERNMENT TO RUN ANY FOREGN ACCOUNT.

AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSFER, 30% OF THE TOTAL SUM WILL GO TO YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. 10% OF THE TOTAL SUM TO COMPENSATE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL EXPENSES INCURED BY BOTH PARTIES.

MORE DETAILS WILL BE GIVEN IN THE COURSE OF CORRESPONDENCE.YOUR CONFIDENTIALITY IS HIGLY REQUIRED SINCE I AM STILL IN ACTIVE SERVICE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED CORPORATION WAITING FOR YOUR URGENT REPLY,YOU CAN REPLY THROUGH THE ABOVE EMAIL OR ( drdanmusa050@yahoo.com) .

REGARDS,
DR. DAN MUSA (FSS, CFR).

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam