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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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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:
  • "hundred thousand 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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • mtisicolby@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: meli@melicolby.orangehome.co.uk
Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2006 12:46:27 +0100 (CET)
Subject: PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU GOT MY FIRST EMAIL(Email me at
mtisicolby@aim.com)


PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU GOT MY FIRST EMAIL(Email me at mtisicolby@aim.com)


Dear
I am Mrs. Mel Colby, i formerly worked as special rehabilitation officer for refugees and IDPs of the UNHCR in Colombia (http://www.unhcr.org/country/col.html) before my retirement from the E.U commission on humanitarian aid.
I was diagnosed of cancer about 2 years ago; owing to this i have decided to donate the sum US$3000,000,00(Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) put under your supervision for charity purpose for use in your City and environs considering my failing health, My late Husband and i resided briefly in your City before moving on to The United Kingdom and this is my little contribution in aid of the people in the area where we once lived.
I am acting sincerely in aid to use this fund appropriately for the good of mankind especially those plagued by curable diseases but have no finances, I have no idea how long i shall be alive considering my failing health the reason i am donating to Charity and to a neighbourhood i once lived in, one thing I ask is that you appropriate the funds to the needy if i die.
I guarantee a legitimate arrangement, which will protect you from any breach of the law, as I do not want anything standing in the way of my last wish. I shall get the needed documents in place and ensure trust while we get along.
mtisicolby@aim.com

Sincerely,
Mrs M. Colby

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam