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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:
  • "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. )
  • "huge amount of money" (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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• This email message is a orphan scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Helen Dunn <helen_dunn1@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: helen_dunn20@yahoo.fr
Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:58:36 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Message

Abidjan, Ivory Coast
West Africa.
Email:

Dearest One

It's my pleasure to contact you for a business venture which I intend to establish in your country, though I have not met with you before but I believe one has to risk, confiding in someone to succeed sometimes in life.

There is this huge amount of money United State Dollars (USD$8.700, 000.00) which I inherit from my late father, in a Security company here in Cote 'd lvoire before he was assassinated by unknown persons.

Now I decided to invest this money in your country or anywhere safe enough outside Africa for security purposes. I want you to help me to transfer this fund into your country for investment purposes.

If you can be of assistance to me I will be pleased to offer you 20% of the total fund. Thank you and God bless you.
From Miss Helen Dunn






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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam