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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • ",500,000" (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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • mrsfatima_syed@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Fatima Abdul Syed" <mrsfatimasyed@mail.mn>
Reply-To: mrsfatima_syed@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:20:20 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION PLEASE,BE MY INVESTOR TRUSTTEE.


From:Mrs Fatima Abdul Azad Syed

Pls Reply To Email Address: mrsfatima_syed@yahoo.com.hk


Dear Sir/Madam.

I wish to write you pleading with you to be my Investor trustee over
$12.5million. My late Husband was a rich oil and Gas Contractor,But before
his death in July 29th 2006.He deposited the sum of ($12,500,000.00)USD in a
safe keeping company in Europe.


The money which he made from oil contract and he left an instruction with
the safe keeping company to release the money to me his wife and his son Ali
who at that time was studying, that an Investor should accompany us before
the $12.5Million will be released to us for proper investment,and also for
the welfare of the children which he left behind for me.


I plead with you to accept to help me and act as my investor trustee to
manage the $12.5Million for me. We can both arrange on how to invest this
money into your company.I and my son Ali has agreed to give you 25% of the
$12.5Million for your own assistance. All the relevant documents shall be
forwarded to you upon your indications to assist me in this project.


May the Almighty God bless you, if you will of trust and faithful to assist
me.When you receive this letter.Kindly send me an e-mail signifying your
decision including your private Tel/Fax numbers for quick communication.
Send your response to this my confidential email address:
mrsfatima_syed@yahoo.com.hk


Looking forward to hearing from you.


Sincerely Yours,
Mrs Fatima Abdul Azad Syed

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam