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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• 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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "huge amount of money" (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)
  • "million 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)
  • "await your urgent response" (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 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.
  • +27834377669 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • brigenth_a4@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: brigenth_a4@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2006 04:09:53 -0800
Subject: Urgent Response

FROM: MRS BRIGENTH ABALA.
E-MAIL: brigenth_a4@yahoo.com

DEAR FRIEND.



I am Mrs.Brigenth Abala. First wife of Engineer Solomon Abala,
of Bulawayo-Zimbabwe This is my 28 years of marriage with Mr.
Solomon Kabala, while my only son and I are now resident in

South Africa as Asylum seeker (REFUGEE). I got your contact

through South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry. With
your contact profile, I hope that you can take care of the amount involved.



I have some huge amount of money, which I inherited from my dead

husband a few years ago. My husband’s tragedy occurred when

the Zimbabwe government took our farm from us. My husband was
murdered in Zimbabwe and I am the only left two wives, so I am

willing to leave South Africa for any place abroad. My fund is
presently deposited with a Security Company without disclosing
the contents of the box to the Security Firm, and

I would like you to help me transfer
this money overseas pending investment. The amount deposited is

(Eighteen Million United States Dollars) US$18.



In consideration of your assistance,
I and my lawyer have agreed to offer you, upon acceptance to
this proposal 25% of the total sum and 5% has mapped out to cover all

sundry expenses both parties might incur, locally or internationally,
during the course of this transaction. And the remaining 70% will be

for me and my only son for our life investment in your country.
I will relate to you my lawyer’s particulars upon receipt of your

approval for more information and fell free to ask questions you
consider relevant. The confidentiality of
this proposal will be highly appreciated.

You can contact my son with this number +27 83 4377 669.

Thank as we await your urgent response.

Best Regards,

MRS. BRIGENTH ABALA.
(FOR THE FAMILY)

N.B Contact me with the email address above, Thank you

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam