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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:
  • "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned 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: Rose Koffi <rose_koffi_1003@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2008 05:55:13 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: WAITING FOR YOUR URGENT REPLY.


Dearest One,

I am Judith Koffi (22 years) the only surviving daughter of late Dr. Anthony Koffi. I am in possesion of some documents covering the deposit of US$12.3 Million (Twelve million, three hundred thousand US dollars) which my late father deposited in one bank in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire. I have verified the transaction with the bank here and it's authencity is clear. This fund is of no criminal origin as it was realised from sales of the alluvial gold dust.

I am soliciting for your kind assistance in retrieving and claiming this fund from the bank here as my father's business associate and have it transferred to your account in your country for investment. You will also serve as the guardian to this fund as i'm not at all knowledgeable in the international business world. I will give you further details as soon as I hear from you and we will discuss terms and percentage subsequently but you must treat highly confidential.
I await for your response.

Best wishes
Miss Judith Koffi.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam