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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:
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
  • "foreign payment department" (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 next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Martin Mase <mnmase@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mmase@mail.mn>
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:02:50 +0000
Subject: Read important message from me and reply.



Ref : ABY/NRI-ACCT/7878256589/04

My Name is Mr.Martin Mase . I am the auditor and head of computing department in my bank here in United Kingdom . There is an account opened in this bank in 2003 and since my inception into office in 2nd Jan. 2009 ,I found this account and tried to investigate deeply to contact the assigned next of kin. I found out that the next of kin to this account an american lived in London for over 63Yrs and he is nowhere to be found and nobody has operated on this account again since 2004. I took the courage to look for a reliable and honest person who will be capable for this important transaction. In order to transfer out $100,000,000 (One Hundred Million U.S Dollars) deposited on the account After going through some old files, I discovered that if I do not Remit this money out urgently,it will be forfeited for nothing and the Bank management might confiscate this account. Please respond immediately, I will use my position and influence to effect the legal approval and onward transfer of this fund into your account with appropriate clearance from foreign payment department. You will stand to get 40% while 60% will be for me.Kindly quote the reference (acct) numbers above when responding to this mail . I will fill you in with further details upon your reply .I will give you my private telephone number so that we can discuss more on how to transfer this funds to your designated account in your country . Reply to my alternative email: mmase@mail.mn Sincerely yours,Mr.Martin Mase.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam