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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:
  • ",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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "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)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Comfort Kona <comfortkonaa25@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: comfortkonaa8@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 17 May 2008 14:33:25 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: DEAR BELOVED IN CHRIST (Mrs Comfort Kona )


Dear Beloved
My name is Mrs Comfort Kona I am a dying woman who have decided to donate what I have to you. I am 59 years old and I was diagnosed for cancer about 2 years ago, immediately after the death of my husband, who had left me everything he worked for. I have been touched by God to donate from what I have inherited from my late husband to you for the good work of God, rather than allow my relatives to use my husband hard earned funds ungodly. Please pray, that the good Lord forgive me my sins. I have asked God to forgive me and I believe he has because he is a merciful God. I will be going in for an operation few days from now . I decided to WILL/donate the sum of $3,500,000 to you for the good work of the lord, and also to help the motherless and less privilege and also for the assistance of the widows according to (JAMES 1:27). At the moment I cannot take any telephone calls right now due to the fact that my relatives are around me and my health status. I have adjusted my
WILL and my doctor is aware about this my project you and him will arrange for the transfer of the funds to you. 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.
.
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. And Also I will be contacting with you by email as I don't want my relation or anybody to know because they are always around me at the hospital
I AWAIT YOUR URGENT REPLY SOON
Thanksand God bless.
Regards,
Mrs Comfort Kona

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam