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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
  • ",000,000" (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 "dying merchant" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "MICHAEL BLACK" <michaelblack@latinmail.com>
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2007 12:59:56 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: FOR CHARITY USE


Dear Friend
=20
As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I =
believe everyone will die someday. My name is Michael Black I am a mer=
chant of USA nationality but presently residing in london. I have bee=
n diagnosed with Esophageal cancer .It has
defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only abou=
t a few months to live, according to medical experts. I have not part=
icularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone(not=
even myself)but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never gene=
rous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on my business
=20
As that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as =
I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or mak=
e all the money in the world. I believe when God gives me a second cha=
nce to come to this world I would live my life a different way from ho=
w I have lived it.Now that God has called me, I have willed and given m=
ost of my property and assets to my immediate and extended family
members as well as a few close friends.

I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul so, I have decided =
to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the=
last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to so=
me charity organizations in the USA, Algeria
and Malaysia. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot d=
o this myself anymore. I once asked members of my family to close one =
of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity =
organization in Bulgaria and Pakistan.
=20
=20
They refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust th=
em anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for=
them. The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash depo=
sit of hundred million dollars 100,000,000 that I have with a finance/=
Security Company in europe. I will want you to help me
collect this deposit and dispatched it to charity organizations. I hav=
e set aside 20% for you and for your time. God be with you.
=20
Michael Black
44-7045725738

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam