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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found 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 MATHEW TANKO" <mathewtanko101@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Reply-To: mathew_tanko@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:02:05 +0400
Subject: GOOD DAY

DEAR FRIEND,
I AM AN ANGOLAN NOW LIVING IN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (DUBAI), SINCE THE REBELS DESTROYED OUR PEACEFUL AND RICH COUNTRY. I INHERITED SOME OF MY FATHER'S PRECIOUS ASSETS AS HIS FIRST SON AFTER THE DEATH OF MY PARENTS.
THIS PRECIOUS ASSETS WHICH IS DIAMOND HAS BEEN IN MY CUSTODY FOR YEARS, NOW THE PRECIOUS STONES HAVE OVERSTAYED WITH ME AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO SALE THEM , THAT IS WHY I'M SEEKING FOR YOUR AUDIANCE AS A FOREIGN PARTNER, TRUSTING THAT YOU ARE A REPUTABLE AND RELIABLE PERSON IN DISPOSING THE DIAMOND FOR ME, IF YOU ARE IN A POSITION OF BUYING OR GETTING ME A CONTACT THAT CAN BUY IT FROM ME.
AFTER THE SALES WE CAN NEGOTIATE YOUR COMMISSION OR POSSIBLY START A JOINT VENTURE IN YOUR COUNTRY.
IF MY PROPOSAL IS ACCEPTED KINDLY REPLY TO ME IMMEDIATELY FOR FURTHER DIRECTIONS.
BEST REGARDS,
MR. MATHEW TANKO,

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam