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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:
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• 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)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: mavim obi <mavinobi8@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mavinobi@yahoo.co.in>
Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2007 16:55:14 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend,



Dear Friend, I have interest of investing in your country as such I decided to establish contact with you for assistance as soon as I am able to transfer my funds for this investment, which is already with a security company in Europe .There are two basic things i would want you to assist me in; (1) Helping by traveling to europe/stand as the beneficiary and make a front collect of these funds from the security company in Europe . This is because of my inability to travel out of the country which i am taking refuge at the moment with my wife and children which i will explain better to you upon the receipt of your acceptance. (2)Helping me to carry out feasibility study on areas/choice of investment you deem best for me.I retired as financial consultant and was the last personal financial adviser to the ex- head of state before his dismissed and i have no intention of carrying out any further investment programmein my country for security reasons. Please get in touch with me by my email: you are adviced to send me your full information below1, YOUR FULLNAME;.............. 2,YOUR MOBILE TELEPONE AND FAX INCLUDING YOUR OFFICEAND HOME PHONE NUMBER;...... 3,YOUR MAILING ADDRESS;......... 4,YOUR AGE AN! D OCCUPATION;.... 5,YOUR COMPANY NAME;............ Please Note ; I asked for your informations because someone I trusted tried to scam me.Please keep this transaction strictly to yourself alone because of its nature.Looking forward to receiving your prompt responds. Thanks and God bless you,Yours sincerely,MR .mavin obiHELP ME
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam