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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
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• 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.

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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 united state 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • sonkhandu@aol.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Peter Wong" <peter.wong55iem@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:33:34 -1100
Subject: Read And Get Back To Me

Hello

I am Mr. Peter Wong Executive Director of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd, Hong Kong. I do have a business proposal worth a deposit of Eight million United State Dollars unclaimed funds in my bank branch by my deceased client Besem Faruak an oil merchant and an Iraqi citizen who was killed during the Gulf war in 2003

I am willing to request a next of Kin or business associate to this funds so it will be possible to withdraw the funds from the said account before it is taken over by the government of Hong Kong. Please reply to my private email address sonkhandu@aol.com and I shall update you will full details of the transaction

Your earliest and swift response will be highly appreciated

Yours Sincerely
Peter Wong

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam