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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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)
  • ",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)
  • "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: orphanpatricia@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:46:04 +0100
Subject: From: Miss Patricia Runs


From: Miss Patricia Runs

Greetings,

I hope this mail meets you in good time. However strange or surprising this
contact might seem to you as we have not meet personally or had any dealings
in the past, I humbly ask that you take due consideration of its importance
and immense benefit.

I am Miss Patricia Runs, the Daughter of late Jacques Runs, I wish to
request for your assistance in an immediate transaction. My late father was
a contractor and an Estate consultant before his death, on his sick bed, he
instructed me and my mother to look for a foreigner who will assist us for
an investment overseas.

He discloses to us about twelve million United States dollars ($12,000,000
USD) which he kept for Investment in a financial institute. After several
months of funeral of my late father, My uncles and some members of the
family started treating us bad with their human wickedness and diabolic
powers; thereby forcing my mother out of her matrimonial home which at end
they eliminated my mother and left me motherless and fatherless.

I humbly seek your assistance to invest this money in your country, and
requiring your assistance in the claims and transfer of the same funds into
your personal/company account for investment, I will be glad to give you 15%
of the total sum for your kind gesture. Please it is very important you
contact me immediately for us to proceed. Please note to me your phone
number, area of your profession and your age as to know better side of you.

Awaiting your soonest and positive response.

Best Regards,
Patricia.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam