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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:

• 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)
  • "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)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Kelly Rowe" <kellyrowe.kellyrowe@klikni.cz>
Reply-To: kelly.rowe14@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 18:27:20 -0700
Subject: SECOND NOTICE


--
THIS IS FOR YOUR ATTENTION,

We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a Beneficiary to the
total sum of US $25,300,000.00 (Twenty five million three hundred thousand
US dollars) in the codicil and last testament of the Deceased. (Name now
withheld since this is our second letter to
You)

We contacted you because you bear the surname identity and therefore can
present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance. We therefore reckoned
that you can receive these funds as you are qualified by your name Identity.

All the legal papers will be processed in your Acceptance. In your
acceptance of this deal, we Request that you kindly forward to us your
letter of Acceptance; your current telephone and fax numbers and a
forwarding address to enable us file necessary Documents at our high court
probate division for the Release of this sum of money.

Yours faithfully,

Kelly Rowe

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam