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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
  • "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (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: "Patrick Williams" <patrickwilliams1001@googlemail.com>
Reply-To: williamspatrick9@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 20:17:33 -0700
Subject: Business Proposition


--


Dear Friend

This may come to you as a surprise, Please know that I am writing you,
with utmost confidentiality and I hope you treat this email as such.

I am MR.Patrick Williams, account officer of My bank here in UK.

I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you.
To remit the sum of US 4, 000,000.00 pounds (Four Millions Pounds) to your
private account.

If you are interested I will most appreciate your prompt response and your
contact,
phone number for easy communication as that would enable us to start
something immediately.

Yours Sincerely,

Patrick Williams

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam