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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "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)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • ste-scott@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Stephen Scott" <stephenscott101@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:11:47 +0100
Subject: THIS IS FOR YOUR ATTENTION

THIS IS FOR YOUR ATTENTION

I wish to notify you again that you were listed as a
beneficiary to the total sum of £15,600,000.00GBP (Fifteen
million Six hundred thousand British pounds)in the codicil
and last testament of the deceased. (Name now withheld since
this is our second letter to you).I contacted you because
you bear the surname identity and therefore can present you
as the beneficiary to the inheritance. I therefore reckoned
that you can receive these funds as you are qualified by
your name identity.

All the legal papers will be processed in your acceptance.
In your acceptance of this deal, I request that you kindly
forward to me your letter of acceptance; your current
telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding address to enable
us file necessary documents at our high court probate
division for the release of this sum of money. You are
entitle to 50% of this money while i will also take 50% Get
back to me with the following contact mail
address:[ste-scott@hotmail.com]


Yours faithfully,

Stephen Scott

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam