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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
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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:
  • "million pounds" (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)
  • ",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)
  • "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
  • "foreign payment department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447031977967 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: Russell Gell <rgell90@msn.com>
Reply-To: <russellgell006@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 06:31:48 +0000
Subject: I NEED YOUR URGENT I NEED YOUR URGENT RESPONSE!!!! RESPONSE!!!! Ref
: ABY/NRI-ACCT/7878256589/90-08 ( From Russell Gell )


Ref: ABY/NRI-ACCT/7878256589/90-08
My Name is Mr. Russell Gell

I am the auditor and head of computing department of a bank here in United Kingdom.

There is an account opened in this bank in 1990 and since my inception into office in 2002, nobody has operated on this account again. The last operation in the acct was in 2001. I took the courage to look for a reliable and honest person who will be capable for this important transaction. In order to transfer out ₤4,000,000.00 (Four Million Pounds Sterling).

After going through some old files, I discovered that if i do not remit this money out urgently, it will be forfeited for nothing.

Please respond immediately I will use my position and influence to effect the legal approval and onward transfer of this fund into your account with appropriate clearance from foreign payment department. You will stand to get 40% while 60% will be for me.

Kindly quote the reference (acct) numbers above when responding to this mail .

I will fill you in with further details upon your reply.

Thanks and God bless.
Sincerely yours,
Mr. Russell Gell
Direct Tel No :+447031977967

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam