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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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• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: james1@mail.iki.lt
Date: Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:54:52 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: "AN APPEAL FOR URGENT ASSISTANCE"


¡Tengo nueva dirección de correo!Ahora puedes escribirme a:barristerjames.mugabe02@yahoo.com.co



- "AN APPEAL FOR URGENT ASSISTANCE" Dear Friend, My name is James Mugabe from Zimbabwe, presently i am contacting you from Exile for political reasons. Please i need your help seriously. I want to transfer $11.8 million US dollars into your account. Email me back immediately, James1@mail.iki.lt God bless you , James Mugabe

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam