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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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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:
  • "million british 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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
• 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.
  • lauschnei31@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Laurel Schneider <lauschnei31@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: laurelschneider80@myway.com
Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:58:28 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: PROPOSAL 2008


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: lauschnei31@yahoo.com



- I am the Attorney and trustee to the Will of my late client Thomas Stone,Until his death My client deposited the sum of Twenty Five Million British Pounds in a Bank here in London, with the hope of transferring it to his country as soon as he is on leave. I have made several attempts to locate any of my clients extended relatives, but this attempt so far has been unsuccessful.I am contacting you to assist in claiming the money left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank where the deposit was made, the bank is ready to release the funds to any foriegner who knows correct information of the FUNDS which i will give to you once i see your readyness to work with me. All legal documents to aid your claim for this fund and to prove your relationship with the deceased will be arranged for. Your help will be appreciated with 30% of the total sum.All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this transaction through.Iguaran!
tee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law. Please accept my apologies, keep my confidence and disregard this letter if you do not appreciate this proposition I have offered you.However,if you do please back to me immediately.Honestly,Barr. Laurel Schneider

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam