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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:
  • "million pounds" (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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Guy Whittaker <dr.guy_035@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: Dr.guy_0001@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2007 00:21:58 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Dr.Guy whittaker


Greetings From Group Finance Director
R.B.O.S Plc Edinburgh EH3 9PE

Greetings ,

I am Dr.Guy whittaker, Group Finance Director Royal Bank of Scotland (R.B.O.S) I understand that through Internet is not the best way to link up with you because of the confidentiality which my proposal demands. However, I have already sent you this same letter by post one month ago, but I am not sure if it did get to you since I have not heard from you, hence my resending it again.

I discovered a dormant account in my office, as Group director with Royal Bank of Scotland. It will be in my interest to transfer this fund worth £30,000,000 Million pounds in an account offshore. If you can be a collaborator to this please indicate interest immediately for us to proceed. I shall feed you with full details of this transaction upon receipt of your reply towards this proposal. Your contact phone numbers and name will be necessary for this effect.

Contact me immediately.

Regards and respect,

Dr.Guy whittaker
Group Finance Director
Royal Bank of Scotland


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam