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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• 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:
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Zimba Gino <xcelenzimi@yahoo.fr>
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:38:36 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: GIVE ME YOUR MAILING ADDRESS URGENT


YOUR BANK CHEQUE IS GETTING NEAR TO ITS EXPIRATION PERIOD SO I THOUGHT IT WISE TO SEND IT TO YOU.GIVE ME YOUR MAILING ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER ONCE AGAIN AND I WILL SEND THE BANK CHEQUE TO YOU VIA FEDEX COURIER EXPRESS.YOU WILL PAY ME BACK FOR THAT,RIGHT?
 
I AWAITS YOUR URGENT REPLY.
 
DR.ZIMBA GINO,
FMSI,LOME,TOGO.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam