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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
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• 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:
  • "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "account in your country or any safer place" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million united state 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a orphan scam.

Fraud email example:

From: mariam th <mariamth11@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mariam_thompson@yahoo.fr>
Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2007 14:45:38 +0000
Subject: PLEASE I NEED YOUR HELP



PLEASE I NEED YOUR HELPFrom: Mariam Thompson,Ivory Coast West Africa,Refugees Camp Abidjan.

Dearest One,

I am Mariam Thompson. From Sierra Leone But now in Ivory Coast. I am an ophan being that I lost my perants a couple of months ago. My Father was a serving dealer Director of Cocoa Exporting board until his death. He was assassinated by the rebels following the political uprising. Before his death he call me outside and inform me that he have money deposited in Ivory Coast in a bank amount Ten Million United State Dollars.(USD$10 000 000), and he told me that the money was for the importation of cocoa processing machine. He also told me that I should look for a good foreign partner to invest this money with the person.

Some body that will not betray me, I want you to do me a favour to receive this funds to a safe account in your country or any safer place as the beneficiary I have plans to do investment in your country, like real estate and industrial production. This is my reason for writing to you. Please if you are willing to assist me and my only Brother patrick, indicate your interest in replying soonest. For your asisstanc I well give you 10% of the total funds,

Awaiting your urgent response,

Thanks and best regards.

Mariam Thompson
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam