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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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "please indicate your willingness" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "aziz_yusuf4" <aziz_yusuf4@terra.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:51:16 -0300
Subject: FROM: MR. AZIZ YUSUF


FROM: MR. AZIZ YUSUF


Attn: Sir/ Madam,

This message might meet you in utmost surprise. However, it’s just my urgent need for foreign partner that made me to contact you for this transaction. I got your contact from internet search while I was searching for a foreign partner. I assured of your capability and reliability to champion this business opportunity when I prayed to God about you.

I am a banker by profession in BURKINA-FASO, WEST AFRICA and currently holding the post of assistant foreign remittance director in our bank. I have the opportunity of transferring the left over funds ($29.2Million Dollars) belong to late Dr. Yasser Taymullah Muwaffaq. FROM Saudi Arabia. who died along with his entire family in the Egyptians plane crash on 6th January 2004.

Hence; I am inviting you for a business deal where this money can be shared between us in the ratio of 50/50 if you agree to handle this business with me. Further details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as I receive your return mail immediately as soon as you receive this letter.
Please indicate your willingness by sending the below information for more
clarification and easy communication.

YOUR FULL NAME.............................

OCCUPATION...................................

CONTACT ADDRESS.......................

AGE...............................................

MARITAL STATUS...........................

PHONE NUMBER...........................

Trusting to hear from you immediately.
Thanks & Best Regards,
MR. AZIZ YUSUF

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam