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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 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <sharonlytle6@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:18:16 +0000
Subject: Greeting From Mrs. Sharon Lytle,



Greeting From Mrs. Sharon Lytle,May I use this medium to request your assistance into a relationship of high mutual trust and confidence with you. This proposal appears wonderful, but I had to do this and affect lives in fulfillment of my will. I am a retired regional Controller of Customs. I have been diagnosed with kidney Cancer a Disease that has defiled all forms of medical treatment, destroying my heart and kidney. My doctor's report indicates that I have only few months to live under this earth. In my years of service in the custom, I used my position to receive kickbacks from smugglers and business people seeking favors from me, as well as conversion of confiscated goods to my personal property.This fund, a total of Forty Five Million United States Dollars, is presently deposited in a bank under a confidential trust. Now under my present condition, I have asked God for forgiveness and in my integrity I have decided to donate this ill-gotten wealth to charity through you to affect the lives of the less privileged children of the world. Forgive me if you see my communication as a shameful act and not honorable, for acquiring so much wealth as a public officer, but kindly excuse me and understand the situation as I must find a credible and trustworthy personality in this mission to fulfill my commitments to affect lives. I want you to receive this money on trust, after which you will receive 20% for your support and then distribute 80% to charity. I have given my lawyer all the documents that will facilitate the released of my funds to your bank account for immediate execution of my Last Will. My health has deteriorated real badly, that I cannot do this myself anymore. My contacting you is divine and my faith is in God. More details will be communicated to you once you indicate your interest to assist. Please, confirm your readiness and willingness so that I will give you the contact of my lawyer who will process the transfer of the funds to your account. I will not contact anybody until I hear from you.Reply me only on this email address sharonlytle6@yahoo.com.hkGod Bless You,Mrs. Sharon Lytle

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam