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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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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 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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr.willams Van" <willamsvan1000@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: willamsvan221@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2006 10:32:54 +0200
Subject: DEAR GOOD FRIEND

Dear Good Friend,

FOR YOUR ATTENTION ONLY

My name is Dr Willams Van, am the branch and computer management department here in our bank.I have only written to seek your indulgence and assistance. I wish
to make a transfer involving a huge amount of base $15,000,000.00 {Fifteen
Million United States Dollars} of Late Mr Mark Smith out of the bank,he died since 1995, till now the account remains dormat.

I am proposing to make this transfer to a designated bank account of your choice.
Thus, for your indulgence and support, I propose an offer of 20% of the total amount
to be yours after the transfer has been successfully concluded.

Your full name and phone number/fax is need in the first place. Kindly reply me stating your interest, and I shall furnish you with the details and necessary proceedures with which to make the transfer progress.yourself.

I will send you all the document you may need for the transaction when i received your reply.

Yours faithfully,
Dr. Willams Van.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam