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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:
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "await your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Peter West" <peter_west_pw@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 13:20:23 +0200
Subject: Please indicate

Dear Sir,
I know that this is the unlikely platform to start this kind of relationship but i am constrained by the present situation of my family and i request you to permit me use this medium to introduce myself.
I am a liberian and was the personal aide on domestic affairs to our former president,Charles
Taylor.
I had just arrived Senegal in order to arrange for the transfer of one of my family funds meant for investment overseas.
I am contacting you to know your ability and willingness to make and manage such investments with little supervision. Please confirm me that you will work with me to achieve the investment objectives for my family.
I am willing to go into partnership with you and shall sign a comprehensive management agreement on how the profits from such investment will be shared betweeen my family and yourself.
The fund is available here in Senegal and will be transferred into any account that you will provide for the purposes of this investment as soon as we reach agreement on the basic principles of the joint investment. I appreciation of your assistance, i will be happy to share the funds with you according to an agreed percentage.I shall also map out 5% to cover all expenses that will be incured in the movement of the funds to your nominated bank account.
Please note that i want to make the investment as confidential as ever. If i do not hear from
you in 7 days, i shall consider it that you are not favourably disposed to accept my offer.
I await your urgent response.
Yours Sincerely,
Peter West

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam