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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • ",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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "aliu mustapha" <aliumustapha4@gala.net>
Reply-To: aliumustapha67@yahoo.fr
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 14:00:41 +0200
Subject: VERY URGENT PLEASE!!


*Dear Friend,*


*I know you might be skeptical receiving this email (as we have not known
each other). There is however no reason to be apprehensive as all I request
is for your co-operation to have the sum of US$15,500,000.00 transferred out
of our bank here in Benin.*

*Everything regarding the transaction is already perfected, so (if you are
interested) you should please email me with the following information:*

*1. Full Names *

*2. Address (physical)
3. Telephone numbers and fax (if applicable) *

*So that we can reach an agreement and kick-start the transaction.
Should it be that you are not interested in this, please just disregard my
email and never let anyone know about it. *

*Yours,
Aliu Mustapha*

*00229 93460071.
*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam