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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Cecy Williams <cecywilliams19@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: misscecy1987@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 18:21:51 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Hello dear, happy new year!!.


Hello dear

I am Miss Cecy Williams, the only daughter of my late parents.Native of Zimbabwe. I need your help to retrived the consignment that my Father deposited to a security company and to transfer the consignment to your posession.t contains the sum of 3.5 million dollars in cash. I want to invest the money in your country and continue my studies while with you in your country.
I will give you 10% of the Total money for your help.I assure you in the name of the almighty Lord and I will tell you more Once you get back to me and also send you my pictures and the documents of the consignment.
I am waiting for your reply,Thank you and God bless you.
Cecy Williams.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam