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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 next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <robertpay.pay@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2008 03:38:00 +0000
Subject: please i need your assistance



Good day,I want to drop you a quick note because I did not hear back from you concerning the information I sent you the other day. Incase you did not receive the letter introducing my intent. I am the attorney and trustee to the Will of my late client, Until his death My client deposited the sum of $17 million United States Dollars in a Bank in UK, with the hope of transferring it to his country as soon as he is on leave. I have made several attempts to locate any of my clients extended relatives, but this attempt so far has been unsuccessful. I am contacting you to assist in claiming the money left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank where the deposit was made. All legal documents to aid your claim for this fund and to prove your relationship with the deceased will be arranged for. Your help will be appreciated with 25% of the total sum and 5% will be for contingencies. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please accept my apologies, keep my confidence and disregard this letter if you do not appreciate this proposition I have offered you. However, if you do please include your phone and fax number in your response for better communication.God bless you and your family.ThanksRobert Pay

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam