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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
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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• 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:

• 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)
  • "dormant account" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Dr Carson <dr_uc3@msn.com>
Reply-To: <dr_carson12008@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 01:03:23 +0000
Subject: Re.....Comfirm



Good Day,
I am Dr.Carson Carlos, Accountant General working with Bank of Scotland here in London. However, I have already Sent you this same letter by post one month ago, but I am not sure that the letter promptly get to you since I have not heard from you, Now am re-sending it again.
I discovered a dormant account in my office, as Accountant General with Bank of Scotland. It will be in my interest to transfer this fund worth of 15,000.000 (FIFTEEN MILLION POUNDS} in an account offshore.After every thing you will be given 35% of the total fund. Can you be my partner?
Regards and respect,Dr.Carson Carlos

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam