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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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:
  • "is highly confidential" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +27866828914 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: DONFELIX@WEBMAIL.CO.ZA
Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2006 13:46:46 +0200
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL.

FROM: MR.DON FELIX
FAX:+27-866-828-914
112 PRITCHARD STREET JOHANNESBURG
SOUTH AFRICA

ATTN: MANAGING DIRECTOR

This letter is not intending to cause you any
embarrassment in what ever form, rather an appeal for
assistance. I am the Principal Accountant attached to
the Department of Transport and Aviation here in
South Africa. I have decided to send forth this
proposal to you after due consideration. I have in
my possession the sum of US$25,5 MILLION(TWENTY FIVE
MILLION FIVE HUNDERD THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS).The
above fund, which is now in a Government suspense
account was accrued from recent contract awarded
to a foreign firm for supplies of Aviation equipments for the
upliftment of various Airport in my country for the 2010 world
cup, this falls under my department.
We are obliged to make this payment in pursuant to
the terms of our agreement
under the international monetary fund (I.M.F.) and
Paris Club dept-servicing program to pay out all
outstanding dept owed to foreign firms. I now seek
your assistance for the easy transfer of the
over-invoiced (surplus) amount as the foreign
beneficiary.
And also in recognition of your personal executive
profile and investment opportunities available in your
country. At this juncture, I want you to stand as the
original foreign contractor to the above fund to
enable me put up a claim on the above sum. I will
manipulate and authenticate the payment to your name.
I am assuring you that it a is 100% risk free
transaction because all the necessary arrangements
have been made.Finally, I have agreed to give you 25%
of the fund due to your assistance, 5% t o be set
aside for expenses made by both sides.
While the remaining 70% will be for my investment in
your country. If satisfied with this proposal, kindly
notify me by telephone or send a fax so that I can
furnish you with more details on how the transaction
will be done. I will be with you in person before the
fund arrives in your country.
Please note that this is highly confidential and
should be treated as such.
Best regards,

DON FELIX.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam