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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!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• 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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "merlin wayne" <merlin.02@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2006 15:43:38 -1100
Subject: CONTACT YOUR CLAIMS AGENT IMMEDIATELY!

Dear suzie,

You have won that prize but you have to pay the remittance fee which is involved and that will cost you 650pounds.You are to contact your claims agent immediately on the receipt of this email with the address below.claimsagent_swift01@yahoo.co.uk.Hope to hear from you soon.Congratulations once again.

Miss Merlin

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam