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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:
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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 pounds" (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)
  • "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
  • "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Anthony Wheeler <anthwh346@msn.com>
Reply-To: <anthwh01@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 10:50:12 +0000
Subject: Hello



Partnership Request, I am Mr. Anthony Wheeler working with a Bank here in United Kingdom, i have a sensitive and confidential business request asking for your partnership for fund recovery in a dormant account in my office. As the General Auditor with Abbey National PLC, It will be in my interest to transfer this fund worth £28.7 Million Pounds in in your name as the beneficiary.I need you to assist me in finishing this fund transfer out from Abbey national plc to your country. So if you can be able to handle this transaction with me, kindly get back to me for guidelines and details for a possible business relationship. This is a legitimate transaction with no risk involved if we work accordingly as planned. Best regards and respect, Mr. Anthony WheelerGeneral AuditorAbbey National PLC

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam