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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
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• 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)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • ",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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mensah Steve" <infostevem34@livedoor.com>
Reply-To: stevemensah_g@o2.pl
Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:10:59 +0000
Subject: FROM STEVE,


FROM STEVE MENSAH
ACCRA, GHANA
+233245677530

Dear friend,
My name is Mr.Steve Mensah a political activist and consultant. I am the
treasurer of my party's executive committee on Financial matters presently
exiled in Ghana. My aim of contacting you is to crave your indulgence to
assist us in securing some funds abroad for safe keeping which

incidentally was kept to help us Finance the forth coming elections in my
Country. Fortunately with my immediate ssistance, and contact, we were able
to deposit the money in a security company vault in Ghana private goods
pending when the fund would be needed. The need to contact you
arose from the fact that the present government is cracking down on all
oppositions, trying to trace all the funds and properties owned by our
members and party faithfuls.

However If they succeed in tracing these funds to us, they will seize it
thereby incapacitating our quality campaign plans. We wish to relocate this
fund in a foreigner's name urgently to avoid any trace.Therefore all I need
from you is an assurance that you can handle these amount valued
(US$19,500,000) confidentially.

I would want you to handle this proposal with utmost care and understanding
because our election is forth coming and any misfortune will affect us
adversely so your maximum cooperation will be most appreciated.You should
kindly respond through the above email address or phone number.

Yours sincerely,
Mr.Steve Mensah
+233245677530

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam