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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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• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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 united states 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)
  • "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "ellison43 Gazeta.pl" <ellison43@gazeta.pl>
Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 16:54:24 +0100
Subject: URGENT REPLY NEEDED


URGENT REPLY NEEDED

Greetings,

My name is Mr.Ellison John; I am the chairman of the contract award
committee, Federal Airport Authority of Nig. {FAAN} I am in search of an
agent to assist in the transfer of {$30,500.000.00} Thirty MILLION, Five
HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS. And subsequent investment in
properties in your country.

You will be required to.

(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum into your account
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.

If you decide to render your service to us in this regard, 30% of the total
sum will be offered to you. 10% will be set aside for any expenses
encountered during the transfer. Pls, quickly send your phone and fax
numbers.

Your faithfully,
Mr.Ellison John.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam