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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a orphan 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.
  • @yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Richard Williams" <richardwilliams22@rediffmail.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: richardwilliams_98@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 11:33:15 +0400
Subject: INVESTMENT PROPOSAL

Good Day Sir,
My name is Mr Richard Williams from liberia but wrting you now from Middle East.
It is my pleasure to contact you for a business venture which i intend
to establish in your country Though I have not met with you before but I believe, one has to risk confiding in someone to succeed sometimes in life.
I hope that with this business we will be able to start a new life together in the not too distant future.i got your contact email address in confidence through a directory when I was searching for a reliable person who can help me make this transaction a success. However, my inner consciousness assured me of your reliability and trustworthiness in this business transaction.
There is this amount of Nine Million Five hundred thausand US Dollars
($9.500.000.00)which my late father deposited with a Finance company
which he wanted to used for his political reason in our Country before he was assassinated by rebels.Now i have decided to invest these money in your country or anywhere safe enough outside liberia my country for security and political reasons I want you to help me claim and receive the consignment.I will like to invest part of the money into these three investment in your Country;
1) Real estate
2) The transport industry
3) Five star hotel.
But if there is any other business that is better than what I am suggesting I will be very glad to follow your advice,If you can be of an assistance to me i will be pleased to offer to you 20% Of the total fund while the balance will be invested by you.Please upon the acceptance of this mail message, send to me the following to enable us start immediately,
1.Your Full Name.
2.Your House Address.
3.Your Phone Number and Fax,
Thank You And God Bless You.
Please contact me with my alternative email address (@yahoo.com) for security reason:
I await your soonest response.
Respectfully yours,
Richard Williams

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam