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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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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 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.
  • brownwillians@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:28:19 +0200
Subject: Dear Friend



Dear Friend,
I did not forgot your past effort and attemps to assist me in transferring those funds,
Now I'm happy to inform you that i have suceeded in getting those funds transferred under the cooperation of a new partner from japan.
Now Contact my Secretary ask him for($2.5MILLION DOLLARS)for your compensation,
His,name is :Brown Willians,
E-mail:(brownwillians@yahoo.com)
Please send to him your personal Contact.
(1)Full name..........
(2)Delivery address........
(3)phone number............
(4)Age:...................
(5)Country Name..........
(6)Your Occupation.........
Please Contact him Immediately you Recieve this mail.
Yours Faithfully
Dr Peter Moore

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam