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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:
  • "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: "gamma traore" <gammatraore002@xakep.ru>
Reply-To: gammatraore_1@yahoo.fr
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:35:45 +0000
Subject: FROM: MR, GAMMA TRAORE,


*FROM: MR, GAMMA TRAORE,*
*
This message might came to you as a surprise. However, it all just my
urgent need for a foreign partner that made me to contact you for this
transaction. I got your contact from yahoo tourist 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 or
Allah 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 ($15 Million
Dollars) of one of my bank clients who died along with his entire
family on Monday 31st July 2000 in a plane crash.

Hence; i am inviting you for a business deal where this money can be
shared between us in the ratio of 60/40% if you agree to my business
proposal. Further details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as soon
as i receive your return mail immediately you receive this letter.

Please indicate your willingness by sending the below information for
more clarification and easy communication.
*
*(1) YOUR FULL NAME.........................
(2) YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS...........
(3) YOUR TEL AND FAX NUMBER.......*
*(4) YOUR COUNTRY...........................*
**
*
Trusting to hear from you immediately.
Thanks & Best Regards,
MR, GAMMA TRAORE.*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam