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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:

• 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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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 "dying merchant" 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.
  • thomasgrahamhelp3@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Thomas Graham <thomasgrahamhelp3@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: thomasgraham@inMail24.com
Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 06:22:44 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Mr.Thomas Graham Urgent Reply now


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: thomasgrahamhelp3@yahoo.com



- Dearest, My name is Eng. Thomas Graham I am from Florida in United States of America I have been diagnosed with cancer of the lungs in India . It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only a few months to live, according to medical experts. I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone (not even myself) but my business.I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world. I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that God has called me, I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a few close friends.I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul, so I have !
decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in, Algeria and Sudan. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity organization in Bulgaria they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them.The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of Nine million six hundred thousand united states dollars (US$9.600,000,00) which I deposited in a safe deposited box (SDB) in a Security Company in Europe . I will want you to help me claim this deposit and dispatched it to charity organizations. I have also set out 10% of this money to be giving to my lawyer who will educate you on how to realize this!
money from the company. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give
you the contact of my Attorney who will educate you on how to realize this money. He will also issue you a letter of authority that will prove you as the new beneficiary of this fund.Regards,Mr.Thomas Graham

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam