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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• 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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • ",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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447045726003 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: dr_puwaterreus1@windowslive.com
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 06:12:16 +1200
Subject: **APPROVED WINNER**

Dear Sir/Madam,

This is to notify you that you have been chosen by the board of trustees Islamic Relief Nederland as one of the final
recipients to receive cash donations for economic development, and poverty alleviation. In line with its aims, and
objectives, Islamic Relief Nederland is giving out €100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Euro) to 80 international
recipients worldwide. Your email address was selected based on an internet random Selection exercise to receive
€1,000,000.00 (One Million Euro).

To file for your claim, please contact Islamic Relief international office claims department, for Qualification
documentations, notarization, legalization, and Processing.

Contact Person: Dr. Paul Waterreus
TEL: +44-7045-72-6003
FAX: +44-7005-93-0778
Email: dr_puwaterreus1@windowslive.com

Endeavor to quote your Qualification numbers (IRN-101-555, AMS-111-90) in all your correspondence with Dr. Paul
Waterreus. Congratulations once again!
Yours faithfully,
Mrs. Carolina Fontaneti

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam