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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:
  • "million british pounds" (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)
  • ",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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "John Santos" <johnsan@superposta.com>
Reply-To: johnsan@cresce.net
Date: Sat, 24 May 2008 02:45:41 +0100
Subject: Project For You


Good Day my friend,

Following the recent announcement by the minister of finance, that all funds
in accounts that have been dormant for over 15years be transferred to the
Treasury I send this mail to you.

I discovered a dormant payment in my office, as Chairman, Tenders Committee.
Contract award/payment/review Board of the federal Ministry of works, It
will be in my interest to transfer this fund worth 25,500,000 million
British pounds in an account offshore. If you can help with this please
indicate interest immediately for us to proceed.

Remember that you must not tell anybody anything concerning this process, as
i am seeking your help to keep the funds in your account, We ask this
because as civil servants, we are not allowed to operate a foreign account,
in your response please provide your contact name and numbers and I will
give you more information, I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that
you will not disappoint me.

My Regards,

Mr. John Santos
Chairman
Tenders Committee
Contract award/payment/review Board

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam