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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
• 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.
  • marriajones@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: mary62jones@yahoo.co.in
Date: Wed, 01 Nov 2006 10:25:48 +0200
Subject: Hi, It Mary.

Dear Friend,

My name is Mrs. Mary Jones.
I am the above named person from Kuwait.
I was married to Dr Jerage Jones who worked with Kuwait embassy in
Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in the year 2000. We only have one child. My husband died after a brief illness. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $11.2Million (Eleven million, Two Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars) with a finance/security company in SPAIN. Presently, this money is still with the Security Company.
Recently, my Doctor told me that I have few time on Earth, due to cancer problem.
Having known my condition I decided to look for a reliable family or individual that will help my Son invest this fund and look after him until he is capable of handling the investment him self.
After the Death of my late husband, his relative wanted to inherit all my husbands properties and investments. That is why we moved to South Africa, where we are refugees now.
I don't want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers.

I'm Really in need of Trust worthy family or individual, that will help with this transaction and help look after my Son in case anything happen to me.

If you are willing to assist my boy and I, please reply as soon as possible by notifying your interest.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated here.

What will be your percentage?

Hoping to hear from you.

Yours Faithfully

Mary Jones.
Please reply to marriajones@aim.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam