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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• 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:

• 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:
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• 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.
  • abasimary002@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "williams Otuma" <otumawilliams154@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2008 08:52:57 +0100
Subject: My dear, FOR INFORMATION


My dear,
Compliments of the day and God's blessings. I am glad to inform you that I
have successfully completed the transaction. The money has been transferred
to Switzerland. I succeeded through the assistance of my new business
partner from the United States of America. Currently I am in India with him
for a business trip.
However, I did not forget your past efforts in helping me then though you
weren't able to complete the project with me but honestly, I still
appreciate your past efforts. In appreciation towards your assistance, we
jointly mapped out the sum of $250.000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand
United States Dollars) and wrote in your favour a certified bank cheque,
payable to your account only which was left with my secretary and you are
expected to contact her
immediately and negotiate with her the best way to send it to you.
Contact my secretary immediately you receive this mail at her contact
information below and negotiate with her the best and safest way you want
her to send the bank draft to you.
Name: Mrs. Mary Abasi
Email Address: abasimary002@yahoo.com
Once again, thank you very much and remain blessed with your family.
Let me know as soon as you receive
your bank draft.
Best Regards,
Dr Otuma G. Williams
Compensation for your past efforts

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam