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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:
  • "hundred thousand us 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • ernesthamburgg@sify.com

Fraud email example:

From: michealezeoc@sify.com
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 05:29:40 +0600 (IST)
Subject: URGENT PLS


THIS IS MY PERSONAL DONATION TO YOU, PLS PRAY FOR ME



Dearest in christ,





I am Michael Ezeocha and i got your contact on my personal search for a person i want to will my money to. Please i willed the sum of $ 5 HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS to you that is the only money left in my account right now. Please if you really want to know why i have

willed this money to you and you want this money to be transferred to you please contact the bank manager were i have account at:(ernesthamburgg@sify.com) he will help you transferr this money that i have willed to you. Right now i am in the hospital and i feel ashamed to tell you my story.



God Bless

Michael Ezeocha

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam