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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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• 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:

• 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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million us 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)
• This email message is a "dying widow" 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.
  • maryadams72@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: mary adams <maryadams_52@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <maryadams72@myway.com>
Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2007 15:52:40 +0000
Subject: I NEED YOUR HELP!!!



reetings!!!,I am Mrs Mary Adams, a widow to Late Sir, Martins Adams. I am 61 years old, I am suffering from long time cancer of the breast and From all indications, my condition is really getting worst on daily basis and the cancer stage has gotten to a very severe stage that has affected my hearing and one of my legs. My late husband was killed during the Gulf war, and during the period of our marriage we had no child, My late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inheritedall his wealth. My doctor told me that I may not live much more longer and I am so scared about this.
So, I now decided to use my wealth in contributing to the development of charity in Africa, America, Europe or Asia .
I selected you after my fervent prayers for this purpose, I have a total sum of $12.000,000.00 Million US Dollars Deposited in the security bank and that is all i have and wish to give it to you as i can no longer walk or hear well so that you can assist me in using it for the motherless babies and charity homes of your choice and i will like you to take %25 from the fund for your family, may almighty god guide and bless you and family.Yours truly

Mrs. Mary Adams.
Reply to this email address....maryadams72@myway.com
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam