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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:

• 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:
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • edwardwilliamaabj@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • 3aedwardwilliamaabj@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "edward williams" <willi100@fastwebmail.it>
Reply-To: edwardwilliamsaabj@yahoo.fr
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 13:01:31 +0000
Subject: From Edward Williams


>From Edward Williams
Dear Sir
It's my pleasure to acquaint you with this proposal for a financial and
business assistance in your country, I know my message will come to you as a
surprise.

Don't worry I was totally convinced to write you in reference to the
transfer of USD$11.5M to your account for onward investment (Hotel
industries and estate building management) in your country, this fund was
deposited in a prime bank in Abidjan, Cote D' Ivoire by my late father.

All you need to do is to provide me with your private telephone and fax
numbers for us to talk and as well provide me with your account details or
you open a new bank account for the transfer of the fund to your country.
please,if you are interested, reply me urgently with this
email:edwardwilliamaabj@yahoo.fr <email%3Aedwardwilliamaabj@yahoo.fr>
Remain bless while expecting your prompt co-operation.
Best Regard.
Edward Williams

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam