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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:
  • "from the desk of" (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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
• 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.
  • koffi_thomas@rocketmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr.Koffi Thomas" <koffi_thomas@rocketmail.com>
Reply-To: koffithomas@y7mail.com
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:30:41 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: INVESTMENT PROPOSAL.


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: koffi_thomas@rocketmail.com



- FROM THE DESK OF KOFFI THOMAS & ASSOCIATE Planet House,8 Third Ringway,Accra.Ghana Good day Sir,My name is Koffi Thomas, a business consultant in Accra Ghana.One of my clients is interested in investing in your country and he is interested in investing with you or your company.Kindly forward all your company/personal profiles to me for immediate decision on the investment plan and how the investment funds will be handed over to you.Total amount to be invested is $195,000,000,00.USD{ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ONLY}, and it is deposited with Global Exchange Security & Finance Accra Ghana.Immediately I receive your response, I will detail you with the deposit House information and the next step for the release of the investment funds.Hear from you soon.Yours Truely,Koffi Thomas.Legal Director.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam