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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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• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "keep this confidential" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Gerald Whitley" <geraldwwhitley2@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: geraldw.whitley@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:21:05 -0400
Subject: Partnership Request

Dear Friend,

I am Mr. Gerald W. Whitley, Retired Personnel Officer to
Auditor with the bank below and I have a very sensitive
and confidential brief for you from NatWest Bank,
Edinburgh,UK.

I am requesting for your partnership in re-profiling funds
I will give the details, but in summary, the funds are
coming via NatWest Bank.

This is a legitimate transaction.You will be paid 45% for
your "Management Fees".If you are interested,please write
back and I will provide you further
details and instructions.

Please keep this confidential, as we can't afford more
jeopardize.Finally,please note that this must be concluded
within two weeks.please write back promptly.

I look forward to it.

Regards,
Mr. Gerald

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam