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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:
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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:
  • "dear beloved," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
  • ",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)
  • "amsterdam holland" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Douglas Nzembe" <douglas_nzembe001@gala.net>
Date: Sun, 25 May 2008 05:23:46 -0700
Subject: Dear Beloved.


Dear Beloved,

Greetings and peace of the Lord unto your household. This letter may
come to you as a surprise due to the fact that we have not met. The
message could be strange but real, if you pay some attention to it.
I could have notified you about it at least for the sake of your
integrity. Please accept my apologies in bringing this message of goodwill
to
you I have to say that I have no intention of causing you any pain or
harm.
My name is Douglas F.Nzembe, a merchant in Dubai, in the U.A.E.I have
been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer which was discovered very late, due
to my laxity in caring for my health. It has defiled all forms of
medicine, and right now I have only about a few months to live, according
to medical experts.
I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared
for anyone not even myself but my business. Though I am very rich, I
was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focus on my
business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all
this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have
or make all the money in the world.
I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I
would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that God
! has called me, I have willed and given most of my properties and
assets to my immediate and extended family members and as well as a few
close friends.
I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul and so, I have
decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of
the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to
some charity organizations in the U.A.E,Algeria and Malaysia. Now that
my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this my self any more.
I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and
distribute the money which I have there to charity organization in Bulgaria
and Pakistan, they refused and kept the money to themselves.
Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended
with what I have left for them.The last of my money which no one knows of
is the huge cash deposit of twenty four million dollars($24,000,000)that I

have with a security company in Amsterdam Holland.
I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatched it to
charity
organizations.
I have set aside 20% for you for your time and patience.
If you are willing to help me,
Please reply on this douglas_nzembe001@gala.net

with the following:
1.YOUR FULL NAMES
2.YOUR PHONE NUMBER
3.YOUR FULL RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.

God be with you.
Douglas F.Nzembe

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam