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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • dr.steveboateng1@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Steve Boateng" <dr.steveboateng1@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: drsteveboateng22@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:30:17 -0800 (PST)
Subject: GREETINGS TO YOU (URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED)


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: dr.steveboateng1@yahoo.com



- Happy New Year,I am Dr. Steve Boateng. The chairman, Contract-Awarding Committee of the Economic Community of West African states (ECOWAS) with its fund headquarters in Accra Ghana.I wish to introduce to you this confidential business dealing with ECOWAS PAYMENT BUREAU of transferring the sum of (USD45,500,000.00) into your personal or company's bank account. It is however agreed, as the account owner in this deal you will given 30% of the entire sum as compensation, 65% will be held on trust for us while 5% will be used to defray any incidental charges and cost during the course of the transaction. You will be required to:-(1) Assist in the transfer of the said funds by providing your personal or company's bank account.(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment in your country.I will give you more details and procedures about this transaction when you indicate your interest by responding to this message ASAP Please your full name and contact phone number for easier communication.Regards,Dr. Steve Boateng

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam