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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 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
• This email message is a "dying merchant" 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.
  • w_simonsix2@yahoo.ca

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: williamsix0@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:50:53 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: CHARITY


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: w_simonsix2@yahoo.ca



- Dear BelovedAs you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry forme, because, I believe everyone will die someday.My name is william simon,I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer.It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and rightnow I have only about a few months to live, according tomedical experts.I have not particularly lived my life so well, as Inever really cared for anyone(not even myself)but mybusiness. Though I am very rich, I was nevergenerous, I would live my life a different wayfrom how I have lived it. Now that God has calledme, I have willed and given most of my propertyand assets to my immediate and extended familymembers as well as a fewclose friends.I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soulso, I have decided to give alms to charityorganizations, as I want this to be one of the lastgood deeds I do on earth. So far,Ihave distributedmoney to some charity organizations in the Oman,Algeria and Malaysia. I once asked members of my family to close oneof my accounts and distribute the money which I havethere to charity organization in Bulgaria andPakistan, they refused and kept the money tothemselves. Hence, deposit of eighteen million dollars$18,000,000 that,Ihavewithafinance/Security Companyabroad. I will want you to help me collect this depositand dispatche it tocharityorganizations.I have set aside 40% for you and for your time.God be withyou.please contact me with my private email:williamsix1@hotmail.com.william simon

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam