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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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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:
  • "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)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "MR SAMUEL JOHNSON" <samuel.johnson_78@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Reply-To: sam_johnson_77@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:38:06 +0400
Subject: Hello friend

Dear Sir,

Good day Sir, this letter must come to you as a surprise but l believe it is only a day that people meet and become great friends and business partners,

I got your contact from a business directory in my country and I decided to contact you directly for the sake of business.

l am Mr Samuel Johnson from Liberia, I am searching for a reliable and experience business partner who can assist me as partner to invest in a good and profitable business under his guidance.

I have about $5.4 Million Dollars U.S.and I would need your assistance to
invest it either in U.A.E or in any country of your choice where the busines is also good.

So I am soliciting for your assistance as a partner to help me invest in a good and profitable business with your vast business experience in your country,
My Business is totally free of risk and trouble.

If you are willing to be my business partiner, please give me your
confidential contact telephone number so I can call you for us to discuss more in details,the funds is still in a secret place in my country for security reasons.

Thank you once again for your interest and waiting for your reply.

Best Regards,
Samuel Johnson.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam