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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:
  • ",500,000" (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)
• 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.
  • +447031956124 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • ericdoko@yahoo.pl

Fraud email example:

From: verificationunitdept07@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:39:15 -0600
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS????CONGRATULATIONS


Dear Esteemed Winner,

We are happy to inform you that your email address were picked by
computerized system, drawn from the internet, you have emerged a winner of of
2,500,000 GBP (i.e Two Million,five hundred thousand pounds Sterling).

To file for your claim, please contact the claim department below on
email below.

Administration Assistant
Name:Eric Doko
Tel:+44 703 195 6124
Official Email:ericdoko@yahoo.pl

You must contact the appointed agent with your Full
Names,Contactaddress and Telephone Numbers (Home, Office , Mobile and Fax Number).

Congratulations From our members and staff of BRITISH COLA LOTTERY.

Sincerely,
Rose Woods.
Online Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam