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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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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
• 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.
  • patrick_ford005@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: patrick ford <patrick_ford13z@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <patrick_ford005@yahoo.it>
Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2007 17:41:57 +0000
Subject: VERY URGENT



Dear Friend

I have gone through your profile and decided to send you a direct message to introduce my self to you.I am patrick ford, the son of one of the White farmers in Zimbabwe that president Mugabe Took their lands because he did not support the policy of his gov't, my father was killed in the process and his assets was confiscated, except a secret deposit of $4.5million dollars in one of the international banks in Africa.

I am seeking for your help to transfer this money to your country as I am still under age to claim the money and also I will like to continue my education in your country.Send me email via my private email address (patrick_ford005@yahoo.it) for more details

Thanks and remain bless. Patrick Ford.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam