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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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• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• 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_053lee@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR.CHAN LEE" <cha_045lee@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 05:22:50 -0300
Subject: ASSISTANCE NEEDED


--
Dear Friend,

I am CHAN LEE, I work with BANK OF CHINA, HONG KONG. I have a Business
Proposal worth $17.3M for you to handle with me from my bank. I need you to
assist me in executing this Business Project from Hong Kong to your
country.Should you be interested please send me the required information
below;

(1). Full Names

(2). Telephone Number

I will want you to reach me on my private e-mail:
(chan_053lee@yahoo.com.hk). Finally after that I shall provide you with more
information.

Regards,
Chan Lee

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam