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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447045727289 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: Engr Alexis Burton <alexisburton55@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:57:07 +0200
Subject: RE:CONFIDENTIAL & GAURANTEED .


RE:CONFIDENTIAL & GAURANTEED .
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES
SANDTON TOWERS,UNITED KINGDOM
FROM THE DESK OF:
Engr. Alexis Burton M.sc [Manager 14 Project Allocation]


TEL: +44 704 5727289

CONFIDENTIAL

ATTN : Sir/ Madam,
I am a member of the contract award committee and 14 project
allocation manager, of the Department of Minerals and Natural Resources
in United Kingdom; I am in search of an agent to assist us in the
transfer of ( USD$22.5M) and subsequent investment in properties in your
country. You will be required to.

(1) Assist in the transfer of the said funds
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.

If you decide to render your service to us in this regard, 20% of the
total sum of USD$22.5M will be for you. Thank you and do get back to me,
as I wait in anticipation of your fullest co-operation.
Send your E-mail to my Private mailing address with your private
PHONE and FAX numbers for easy communications.


Yours Faithfully,
Engr. Alexis Burton
TEL: +44 704 5727289

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam