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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
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• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "foreign remittance manager" (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.
  
• 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.
  • usman.smith@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: smith usman <usman.smith@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: IndeRing@yahoogroups.com
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2009 17:08:59 +0000
Subject: [IndeRing] Business Proposal


Dear Friend.
This Message Might Meet You In Utmost Surprise.
However, It's Just My Urgent Need For
Foreign Partner That Made Me To Contact You
For This Transaction. I Am A Banker By Profession
From Burkina Faso In West Africa And Currently
Holding The Post Of Foreign Remittance
Manager In Our Bank.
I Have The Opportunity Of Transferring The Left
Over Funds
($8.3Million) Of One Of My Bank Clients Who
Died Along With His Entire Family In Kenya Plane
Crash 2003.
Hence, I Am Inviting You For A Business Deal
Where This Money Can Be Shared Between Us In
The Ratio Of 50/40 / 10% For Any income expenses
that will come During the transfer,
if You Agree To My Business Proposal.
Further Details Of The Transfer Will Be
Forwarded To You As Soon As I Receive Your Return Mail.
Have A Great Day.
Mr Smith Usman
My Email; usman.smith@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam