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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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• How to report 419 spam to us
• 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:
  • "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)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. George William" <georgewiklliams@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: george_1william@yahoo.ca
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2007 14:34:15 +0400
Subject: From George William

Good-day to you

I am so sorry for sending you unsolicited mail, is just that I did not have any other alternative than to do it, for the sake of business, My name is Mr.George Williams, I am from Liberia in Africa , my father is colonel Pius William a Well known soldier in Africa Liberia.

I contact you for business issue of which I am now in Dubai to negotiate, a very good real business man who will help me invest five million Us dollars{5,000,000.00} in a very good business that will yield profit to both of us in your country.

Iam offering you 30% of the total money that i want to invest.

So please kindly email me and attach your number as to enable us call you so that we will discuss this issue face to face. I am looking forward to receive your prompt response.


Regards, Mr.George William

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam