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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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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:
  • "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)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: MRS RITA WILLIAMS <ritawilliams@ithost.info>
Reply-To: mrsritawilliams234@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 08 Aug 2006 10:28:11 +0100
Subject: WILLIAMS



Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am former Mrs.Amina Danladi Bako, now Mrs.Rita williams, a widow to Late Mohammed Danladi Bako, I am 75years old,I am now a new Christian convert,
suffering from long time cancer of the breast. From all indications my condition is really deteriorating and it's quite obvious that I won't live more than two months according to my doctors.This is because
the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage.

My late husband was died two year ago, and during the period of our marriage we couldn't produce any child. My late husband was very wealthy and after his death,I inherited all his business and wealth. The doctor has advised me that I may not live for more than two months, so I now decided to divide part of this wealth, to contribute to the development of the church in Africa, America, Asia and Europe.

I selected you after visiting the website and I prayed over it, I am willing to donate the sum of $18.500,000.00 Million Us Dollars to you for the less privileged. Please I want you to note that, this fund is lying in a bank and upon my instuction, you will file in an application for the transfer of the money in your name.


Lastly, I honestly pray that this money when transferred will be used for the said purpose, because I have come to find out that wealth acquisition without Christ is vanity upon vanity.

May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you and your family.

I await your urgent reply.

Yours in Christ.

Mrs.Rita williams.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam