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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. peter Chang" <peter_ch2k@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2006 23:16:39 +0800
Subject: HELP THE NEEDY

From the desk
of dr. peter chang

My name is Dr peter Chang, I have been diagnosed with Oesophageal cancer .
It has defied all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few
months to live, according to medical experts. I have not particularly lived my life so
well, as I never really cared for anyone (not even myself) but my business.
Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and
only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this,
as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world.
I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different
way from how I have lived it. Now that God has called me, I have willed and given most of
my property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a few close friends.
I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul so, I have decided to give alms to charity organizations,
as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some
charity organizations in the U.A.E, Somalia and Malaysia.

Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore. I once asked members
of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money, which I have there to charity organization in
Bulgaria and Pakistan; they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore,
as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them. The last of my money, which no one knows of,
is the huge cash deposit of eighteen million three hundred thousand dollars ($18, 300, 000, 00) that I have
with a finance House abroad. I will want you to help the world collect this deposit and dispatch it to charity organizations.

N/B: Kindly note that 80% of this fund must go to the tsunami and hurricane victims and 20% for your effort and time.
Please live right!!

God be with you,

Thanks,

Dr peter chang.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam