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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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• 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:
  • "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • mcole478@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: ansmith5k@aim.com
Date: Thu, 06 Jul 2006 03:52:57 -0400
Subject: URGENT REPLY NEEDED ,


attn: ,
i will like to inform you that i am very busy now i can,t travel down to
chicago now. i will advice you to send it through western union money
transfer to my personal assistant name with the details below,

NAME:LAWRENCE ADAMS

ADD:II SYBHIL CLOSE
SE8 5BA LONDON,U.K

NB:AS SOON AS YOU SEND THE MONEY EMAIL ME THE {MTCN}TO ENABLE
MY PERSONAL ASSISTANT PICK THE MONEY ,SO THAT WE CAN CONCLUDE
THIS TRANSACTION.

REGARDS,
Mr. Martins Cole,

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam