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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
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million 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)
  • ",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)
  • "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • mrslitvinenko@jmail.co.za (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Mrs. Marina Litvinenko" <honsby@nextmails.net>
Reply-To: mrslitvinenko@jmail.co.za
Date: Sat, 24 May 2008 05:19:07 +0000
Subject: From:- Dr. Mrs. Marina Litvinenko


From:- Dr. Mrs. Marina Litvinenko
Email: mrslitvinenko@jmail.co.za
Dearest,
YOUR ASSISTANCE IS HIGHLY NEEDED
I am very sure that this mail will bring lots of surprises and inquisitiveness to you since there was no previous association before now between us. I am the wife of Late Mr. Alexander Valterovich Litvinenko, former Russian spy, who died in a London hospital on the 23rd of November, 2006, three weeks after being poisoned in the British capital. Click on this link to view :- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6163502.stm
My husband told me before his death that he has a deposit of GBP15,000,000.00 (Fifteen Million Pounds Sterling only) which he deposited overseas and handed to me all the documents which my lawyer has confirmed with the bank. Right now I am looking for an Investor who will help me to invest the total sum in the west and after which I will relocate to your country.
Because of the security situation in Russia, I am currently seeking an asylum in Spain where I am writing you from and the situation here does not warrant me to do much from here; therefore I have designated my family lawyer who will coordinate every phase of the fund transfer and the investment with your assistance. I am ready to concede up to 25% of the funds to you as your share if you will help me to pull the funds and invest it in your country which has a stable economy.
Upon receipt of your acceptance letter, I will introduce you to my family lawyer who will inform you on how the transfer can be done in the shortest possible time.
You should reach me through my private Email: mrslitvinenko@jmail.co.za with the following information. 1) Your full name. (2) Phone, Fax and Mobile #. (3) Company name, Position and Contact Address. (4) Profession, Age and Marital Status
I await your urgent response by email.
Regards,
Dr. Mrs. Marina Litvinenko.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam