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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
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• 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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic immunity"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "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)
  • "10% will be kept aside for expenses" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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: "Goodluck Daniels" <goodluck_daniels@klikni.cz>
Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 13:22:28 +0100
Subject: my name is goodluck


Dear Sir/Madam

My name is Sgt Goodluck Daniels I am an American soldier, I am serving in
the military of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Patrols Tal Afar, in Iraq.
I apologized using this medium to reach you for a deal of this magnitude. We
managed to move funds belonging to Saddam Hussein's family. The total amount
is US$25 Million dollars in cash, mostly 100 dollar bills.

We want to move this money to you, so that you may invest it for us and
keep our share for banking. I have the authority of my partners involved to
propose that should you be willing to assist us in this transaction, your
share of the sum will be 30% of the US$25 million, 60% for us and 10% will
be kept aside for expenses and rest assure that this business is 100% safe
on your part provided you treat it with utmost secrecy and confidentiality.

Basically since we are working for the American Government, we cannot keep
these funds, We plan on using diplomatic courier by shipping the money out
to you by using diplomatic immunity. No strings attached, just help us move
it out of Iraq, for Iraq is a war zone. You will only help the diplomat to
get the yellow tag paper as soon as they arrive in your airport, they will
have to call you to notify you that they have arrive for you to arrange with
them on getting the tag so that the custom and immigration will not inspect
the consignment. If you are interested I will send you the full details, my
job is to find a good partner that we can trust and that will assist us. Can
I trust you? When you receive this letter.

kindly send me an e-mail signifying your interest including your most
confidential
telephone/address for quick communication for the delivery. This business is
risk free. The box can be shipped out in 48hrs. Please observe utmost
confidentiality, and be rest assured that this business is risk free.
Respectfully submitted.

Sgt.Goodluck Daniels

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam