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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:
  • "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • ",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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned 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: vivian edward <vivian0015edward@yahoo.ca>
Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2007 12:25:05 -0500 (EST)
Subject: FROM MRS. VIVIAN EDWARD.


Dearest One,

It's my pleasure to contact you for a business venture which I and my Son,intend to establish in your country. Though I have not met with you before but I believe,one has to risk confiding in someone to succeed sometimes in life.

There is this huge amount of Eigtheen million
U.S dollars($18,000,000.00) which my late Husband kept for us in a security storage house here in Abidjan before he was assasinated by unknow persons.Now me and my son decided to invest these money in your country or anywhere safe enough outside our country for security and political reasons.We want you to help us to transfer this fund to your country for investment purposes on the followings below:

1). Telecommunication
2). Automobile manufacturing
3). Five star hotel

If you can be of an assistance to us we will be pleased to offer to you 20% Of the total fund.

I await your soonest response.

Extend my warmest regards to your entire family.

Thank you and God bless you.
Sincerely,
Mrs.Vivian Edward.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam