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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)
• This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:55:46 GMT
Subject: Assist Sincerely


Greetings to you,
As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I =
believe everyone will pass on someday everyone eventually has appointment =
with death. My name is Devin Campbell a merchant in Dubai, United Arab =
Emirate (U.A.E).


I have been diagnosed with lung cancer. It has defiled all forms of =
medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live, =
according to medical experts (I am in a private ward in a private hospital =
here in the United Kingdom). I have not particularly lived my life so =
well, as I never really cared for anyone (not even myself) but my =
business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always =
hostile to people and only focused on my business as that was the only =
thing I cared for.


But now I regret all this, as I now know that there is more to life than =
just wanting to have or make all the money in the world. I believe when =
God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a =
different way from how I have lived it. I have willed and given most of my =
property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as =
a few close friends. I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul =
so, I have decided to give also to charity organizations, as I want this =
to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed =
money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E, Algeria and Malaysia. =
Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself =
anymore.


I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and =
distribute the money, which I have there to charity organization in =
Bulgaria and Pakistan; they refused and kept the money to themselves. =
Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contented with =
what I have left for them. The last of my money, which no one knows of, =
is the huge cash deposit of =2418 Million Dollars that I have with a =
Security Company abroad. I will want you to help me collect/receive this =
deposit and dispatched it to charity organizations.


I will like to inform you that for all your time, effort and sincere =
honesty you will be given 10% of the funds, this is from the depth of my =
heart.


I'll be awaiting your quick response.


Yours faithfully,
Devin Campbell.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam