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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:

• 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:
  • "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
• 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.
  • stellambi2000@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: stellambi2000@yahoo.fr
Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:15:35 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: please help me in the name of lord



Email Address;
stellambi2000@yahoo.fr
 
 
Dearest One,

I am Mrs.Stella Mbi from Liberia. I was married to Mr.Vincent Mbi who was a contractor with the government of United State Of America before he died in the year 2004 after few days in the hospital. The doctor said his death was as a result of poison.We were married for so many years and God Blessed us with only son.
When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $7 Million with a Bank.Presently this money is still in the custody of the bank.Recently, My Doctor told me that it is very likely i will die within the next nine months due to kidney cancer problem. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a church,organization or good person that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein.I want good person that will use this money for taking care of my only Son, for him not to duffer and to further his Education in the nearest future,l took this decision because of the future of my only child to inherit some part of this money and i don't want this money to loss in bank because of the tender age of my only son.This is why I am taking this decision.Though it was very painful to hear this kind of news from my doctor but I am not afraid of death because I know where I am going.
  
I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord.I can give you a telephone number to communicate in this regard especially with my child because of my health but the important thing to me is for you to do what i will require you in this regard.As soon as I receive your reply.I shall give you the contact of the bank. I will also issue a letter of authorization to the bank that will prove you the present beneficiary of the money ,Please always be prayerful all through your life.Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another good person, for this same purpose.Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein.My dear i and my child we are now in abidjan cote d'ivoire, in west africa. The Infromation below i will reqire from you;
  
1)Your full name
2)your telephone
3) fax number
  
for onward and future communication. again to enble me submit you details to the bank as my late housband's foreign business partner/beneficiary.oping to receive your response immedaitely.Thanks and Remain blessed in the Lord.l remain yours sister in Christ.
 
Mrs Stella Mbi.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam