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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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• 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:
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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: sam hardy <samhardy_0091@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <samhardy_115@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2007 15:40:35 +0100
Subject: URGENT REPLY



ATTN:Sir/ma,I am Mr sam hardy the chairman of the contract award committee, federal ministry of petroleum resources, Nigeria I am in search of an agent to assist us in the transfer of FIFTY MILLION, FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS. And subsequent investment in properties in your country.You will be required to:(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum(2) Advise on lucrative areas of investment(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.If you decide to render your service to us in this regard, 20% of the total sum will be offerred to you. PLEASE SEND REPLY TO INDICATE YOUR WILLINGNESS IN ASSISTING US SO THAT I WILL DIRECT YOU ON WHAT NEXT To DO.INCLUDE YOUR DIRECT TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS IF YOU ARE RESPONDING.THANKS FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED ASSISTANCE.YOURS SINCERELY,MR sam hardyChairman of the contract award committee(CCAC)
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam