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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• 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:

• 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 us 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.
  
• 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.
  • cha_patrick8@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:54:05 -0700
Subject: Business Proposal,Response Needed Contact me via email cha_patrick8@yahoo.com.hk

Let me start by introducing myself. I am Mr. Patrick K. W. Chan Executive
Director & Chief financial Officer of Hang Seng Bank Ltd. I have an
obscured business proposal that will be of great benefit to you and me,it
involves the transfer of 12.5 million us dollars and I need you to assist
me in executing this business project. Once the funds have been successfully
transferred into your account,we shall share in the ratio to be agreed by
both of us.I shall furnish you with more info immediately i receive a positive
response from you, via email cha_patrick8@yahoo.com.hk
Kind Regards,
Mr. Patrick Chan

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam