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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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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "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)
  • "keep this confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "my names are " (a common phrase found 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.
  • princessdorcas30@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Edward Yau" <edwardyau01@ig.com.br>
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:39:18 -0700
Subject: Counting on your co-operation


Attn.Sir/Madam,

A CRY FOR HELP, My Names are Princess Dorcas Eze, writing this letter in
confidence believing that if it is the wish Of God for you to help me and my
family,God almighty will bless and Reward you abundantly.
My family and I are true Christians and we worship God truthfully. I got
Your contact through Internet during my research on some one who could Help
us.I am 22 yrs old. My father died earlier this year and left my Mother,I
and my brother behind.I and my brother are the only people who Can take
Care of his wealth now because my mother is not literate enough To know all
my fathers wealth behind.
He left up to USD8.350,000.000.00 million dollars with a security Company,
and I dont know how and what I will do to invest this money Somewhere.That
is why I felt happy when I saw your contact which I strongly believe that
by the grace of God you will help me secure And invest this money.
I thereby need your help in bringing the box Containing the money out from
the security company there in abroad,based on your reply I Will furnish you
with more details on how we can proceed. Iam ready to pay 10% of the total
sum/amount to you if you help us in Securing this money and another 10% of
the interest of the Annual income to you for investing this money for
us,which you will strongly have absolute Control Over.
If you can handle this project sincerely,kindly reach me and I will let you
know the next Step to take towards actualizing thistransaction as quickly
as Possible.
Finally I would like you to give me your word on your trust and your
sincerity and promise not to cheat or be dubious on me.
Please keep this confidential,Note that this transaction is 100% risk free.

I look forward hearing from you soonest.
Alternative email; princessdorcas30@yahoo.com

Counting on your co-operation
Yours Faithfully,
Princess Dorcas

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam