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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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• 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)
  • "abidjan" (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.
  
• 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.
  • +22508157757 (Cote d'Ivoire, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Mariam A <mariam_far1975@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: ma1957@y7mail.com
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:40:53 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: for details


Dearest,
With warm heart i offer my friendship,and greetings and i hope this mail meets you in good faith.I am Mrs Mariam Alfarouk,i need your cooperation in an investment. I am in Abidjan,with my son williams.I want you to respond immediately your decision,because it invovles my deposit (my box containing $22 million dollars),that is deposited in a reputable security company here in Abidjan, the Ivory coast,that i want to transfe.For further details and instructions, call me on; 00225 0815 7757, or send me email directly.
 
Thank  you,
Mariam

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam