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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:

• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "huge deposit" (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 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.
  • annetmaxwell20@yahoo.com
  • annet.maxwell@personal.ro (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: annet.maxwell@personal.ro
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2008 04:36:52 -0800 (PST)
Subject: HAVE A BLESSED DAY


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: annetmaxwell20@yahoo.com



- My Dear Friend.May Almighty God be with you, and how are you doing?My intention of contacting you is to solicit your assistance for a project, which will be mutually beneficial. Though I know my decision to contact you is to a large extent unconventional,the prevailing circumstances necessitated my action. I am Mrs. ANNET MAXWELL from GAMBIA. I am married to late MR KENNEDY MAXWELL of blessed memory who was an oil explorer in Libya and Kuwait for twelve years before he died in the year 2000. We were married for twelve years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days before his death we were both devoted Christians. Since his death I too have been battling with both Cancer and fibroid problems.When my late Husband was alive he made a huge deposit in millions of US dollars with a Deposit Company in overseas. (I will tell you the amount as we proceed).Recently,my doctor told me that I have only six months to live due to blood cancer problem. Though what disturbs me mostly is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to either a Christian's organization or devoted individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want this Christian or Muslim organization or individual to use this money in all sincerity to fund churches,orphanages,widows,mosque and also propagating the word of God and to ensure that the society upholds the views and belief of the Holy Bible. The Holy Bible emphasizes so much on GOD benevolence and this has encouraged me to take the bold step. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are into some radical Organizations and I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an unholy manner. Hence the reasons for this bold decision. I know that after death I will be with Bosom of our Lord the most beneficent and the most merciful I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health,because of the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I don't want them to know about this development. With God all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply on Email:(annet.maxwell@personal.ro) I shall give you the contact information of the Deposit Company in oversea where the money was deposited. I will also issue a letter of authority to the Deposit Company authorizing them that the said fund have being willed to you and a copy of such authorization will be forwarded to you. I want you and the Christian community where you reside to always pray for me. My happiness is that I lived a true devoted Christian worthy of emulation. Whoever that wants to serve God must serve him in truth and in fairness. I will not stipulate any precise amount to reward you,as it will have to be on pre-negotiated terms,based on your level of involvement.Please always be prayerful all through your life. Any delay in your reply will give room in sourcing for a Christian organization or a devoted Christian for this same purpose. Until I hear from you by email,my dear,i will rest squarely on your Shoulders.May the Almighty God continue to guide and protect you.God Bless,MRS. ANNET MAXWELL

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam