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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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• 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)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • barry_smithz@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: barry smith <barry_smth_2@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <barry_slithz@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:21:01 +0100
Subject: =?windows-1256?Q?BUSINESS_PROPOSAR=FE,REPLY_URGENT?=















FROM THE DESK OF:MR. BARRY SMITHBARCLAYS BANKCAMDEM BRANCHLONDON, UNITED KINGDOM.Dear Friend,How are you today and business in your country?I am Mr. Barry Smith,Bank Manager of Barclays Bank,Camdem branch,london. I have a business proposal that will be of immense benefit to theboth of us.If you are interested, you can contact me through My private Email:(barry_smithz@yahoo.co.uk email address here).Awaiting your urgent reply.Yours Sincerely,Mr.Barry Smith
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam