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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • ",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)
  • "00,000.00" (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.
  
• 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.
  • chan_pkw212@yahoo.com.hk

Fraud email example:

From: Leslie Young <leyoung@ksbe.edu>
Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:04:06 -1000
Subject: LETTER FROM PATRICK CHAN, REPLY BACK

Dear Friend,
I am Patrick Chan, I work with HANG SENG BANK, HONG KONG.
I have a profitable Business Proposal of ($30,000,000.00)
for you to handle with me from my bank, profit ratio will
be shared in the ratio of 60% for me and 40% for you.
I need to know if you will be able to handle this with me
before I explain to you in details ?
Should you be interested please send me your full names,
private phone/fax and current residential address to this
email, chan_pkw212@yahoo.com.hk
for more details of this operation.
Kind Regards
Patrick Chan.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam