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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "million pounds" (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)
  • "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "very 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Qian_Hong1@ecunet.org (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 22:26:29 -0400
Subject: Business Proposal

Good day,

I am Qian Hong, I am the Deputy General Manager, E-bank Division of Abbey National PLC, London branch. I have an urgent and very
confidential business proposal for you containing GBP 32 Million pounds. I got your contact from the World Trade Center
Online Web directory, London and hoping that you will contact me at your earliest convenient for a possible business relationship. I have determined to work this transaction with you based on trust but at the moment, I am constrained to issue more details about
this business until your positive response is received.

Please take a moment of your time schedules to read it and contact me.

Thanks for your time and attention.

Mr. Qian Hong.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam