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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:
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • gnanna57@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: Generalfranscis@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:02:24 -0800 (PST)
Subject: YOUR URGENT ATTENTION IS REQUIRED


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: gnanna57@yahoo.com



- Greetings to you , Good day, It is my pleasure to contact you for a business venture which I hope you will be able to assist out.Actually I am the director of the Liberian refugee camp here in Budubora Accra Ghana.I have been approached by young John and his sick mother to assist them look for a reliable receiver to receive their family treasure box which was sent to Europe with informations supplied by one Mr. Saleh Ibrahim 2 week ago, but we have receive message from his people that he has auto crash last week, and his lawyer has given power of attorney for us to look for a new person to receive the treasure box from the diplomat now in Europe. If you can assist the family pick up this consignment box from the diplomat in Europe, then reply to me immediately, as the family is very worried that they might lost us$10million which they say is in the treasure box. The family says you will be given 20% of the total sum if you can assist them receive it from the diplomat. You will also help them to buy a house and invest in your country for a percentage fee. I will give you more details as soon as i hear from you that you will be kind to help. Thanks and as i await your mail General Francis Nanna Director of the refugee Camp.(Accra-Ghana.)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam