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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr David Metcalf" <dvdmetcalf@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mrdvdmetcalf@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2007 07:39:46 +0000
Subject: YOUR RESPOND IN EITHER WAY WILL BE APPRECIATED..

FROM THE DESK OF MR DAVID METCALF
SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (SPDC) OF NIGERIA LTD
FALOMO, IKOYI-LAGOS NIGERIA.
TEL  00 234 80 26 21 78 92
 
ATTN:Sir/madam,
 
 I am the Chief Accountant of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), in Nigeria subsidiary of the Royal Dutch Shell Oil Corporation Operating in Nigeria. I am  a Briton by birth and origin. I am in search of an Agent/Person to assist me in the  transfer of FIVE MILLION, FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS. ( US$5.4 MILLION ) And  in subsequent investment in properties in your country.You will be required to:
 
(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum
(2) Advise on lucrative areas of investment
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.

If you decide to render your service to me in this regard, 20% of the total sum will be offered to you.

PLEASE SEND REPLY TO INDICATE YOUR WILLINGNESS IN ASSISTING ME SO THAT I WILL DIRECT YOU ON WHAT NEXT TO DO.INCLUDE YOUR DIRECT TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS IF YOU ARE RESPONDING.

THANKS FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED ASSISTANCE.

YOURS SINCERELY,

MR MR DAVID METCALF
 
 

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam