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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:
  • ",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)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Ruiu Monica" <ruiumonica@orange.nl>
Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:51:51 +0100 (CET)
Subject: DONATION FROM MRS.RUIU MONICA DATE 25/02/2008


Dearest Friend,

My name is MRS.RUIU MONICA i am from Italy but right now i am in Cotonou Republic Du Benin West-Africa. I am a dying woman who has decided to donate what I have to you/church/organisation/upkeep of widows/ widowers/ orphans/ destitute/the down-trodden/ physically challenged children/ barren-women/ and persons who prove to be genuinely handicapped financially.

I am 37 years old and I was diagnosed for cancer for 1 year ago immediately after the death of my husband, who has left me everything he worked for and because the doctors told me I will not live longer than some weeks because of my health conditions.

I decided to WILL/donate the sum of $18,000,000.00 (Eighteen Million Usd) to you for the good work of humanity, and also to help the motherless and less privilege and also for the assistance of the widows.

NB: I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this matter until the task is accomplished as I don't want anything that will jeopardize my last wish.

I wish you all the best and may the good Lord bless you abundantly, and please use the funds well and always extend the good work to others Thanks and God bless.

Will give you the contact of the Attorney who is going to draft the whole paper-work in your favour as my next of kin (before your arrival to Cotonou Republic Du Benin West-Africa).

Remain bless

MRS.RUIU MONICA.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam