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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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• 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "trunk box" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "MISS PATRICIA" <pat_siki@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2006 21:30:17 +0100
Subject: Greeting from patricia

Dear,
I am Miss Patricia Siki from sierra leonian .I am 25 years
old and presently residing in Dakar-Senegal because
of the political crisis in my Country. I got your
contact in strict confidence through Senegal Chamber
of Commerce. I would Honestly want to seek for an
immediate assistance from you, I have $7.5 Million US
dollars belonging to my late Father Mr David Tony
who was held bondage by the Rebels during the crisis
and was letter killed.
I ran to Senegal refugee Camp when I Discovered
danger to my life and that of my only youger brother Prince
untill the death of my beloved father he paked the
above mentioned Amount in a METAL TRUNK BOX and
deposdit it with a SECURITY COMPANY in Europe for safe
keeping i have every Documents regards the transaction
I have contacted the SECURITY COMPANY and confirmed
the safety of the money/inheritance,

As it is, I have the intention of investing the money
oversees and however needed a Foreigner who is capable
of giving adequate assistance to me by the way of
clearing the money from the SECURITY COMPANY and
thereafter forwarding it to your Account for
investments. I have nice percentage of the money for
you. If Necessary, Please do feel free to ask me
questions on this as I wait
for your reply soonest.

Thanks
Miss Patricia

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam