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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" 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.
  • victor_obis2@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Mr John Williams <johwilliams20@hotmail.fr>
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2007 03:28:31 +0100
Subject: Contact my secretary



Dearest friend,Season Greeting from Mr John Williams who contacted you long ago, I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting that fund Now, I want you to contact my secretary on the information below:NAME: Victor ObiEMAIL; victor_obis2@yahoo.itAsk him to send you the total sum of ($800,000.00) Eight Hundred Thousand United State Dollars CASHIER'S CHEQUE, which I kept for your compensation CONTACT THE SECRETARY ON this :NAME: Victor ObiEMAIL; victor_obis2@yahoo.it
Regards,Mr John Williams
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam