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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +27834358639 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: marcusndlovu8@gmail.com
Reply-To: marcusndlovu@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2008 08:39:31 +0200
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT PLEASE!


>From Marcus Ndlovu
Dear ,
Greetings! My name is Marcus Ndlovu from Zimbabwe .Due to the sudden death
of my father Mr.Joseph Ndlovu One of the great farmers In Zimbabwe who was
murdered during a Land conflict in our country due to his support for the
white farmers, I have been thrown into a state of hopelessness by the
present administration .I have lost confidence with anybody within my
country. I got your contacts through personal research,and had to reach you
through this medium. I will give you more details when you reply. Due to my
status as a refugee in South Africa,1 am prohited in so many things here so
that is why I have contacted you. My father deposited $12.5million dollars
with a security firm in South Africa whose name is witheld for now till we
communicate. I will be happy if you can receive this funds and keep it safe
I assure you 20% of this fund and 5% for your expenses coming here. I will
need your telephone/mobile numbers so that we can communicate.please read
and reply back asap with your telephone number.call me and my son on
+27-834358639.
Sincerely Yours,
Marcus Ndlovu for the family.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam