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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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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 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 "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: mrs faith thomas <mrsfaith_thomas@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mrsfaiththomas@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2007 02:08:49 -0800 (PST)
Subject: BLESS YOU


Greetings in the name of God, Please let this not sound strange to you. I am Mrs Faith Thomas from London, I am 64 years old I am deaf and suffering from a long time cancer of the breast which also affected my brain, according to my doctors they have advised me that I may not live for the next two months, this is because the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage. I was brought up from motherless babies home was married to my late husband for twenty years without a child, died in a fatal motor accident.

I sold all my inherited belongings and deposited all the sum of $8million dollars with a Security Company. Presently, I'm with my laptop in a hospital where my doctors have told me that I have only a few months to live. It is my last wish to see that this money is invested to any organization of your choice and distributed each year among the charity organization, the poor and the motherless babies home where I come from.

I want you use this money to fund churches, orphanages and widows; I took this decision, before I rest in peace because my time will soon be up. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Security Company. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated here in. Hoping to hearing from you soon.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs faith Thomas


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam