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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic immunity"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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)
  • "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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.
  • sgtdavid.bret209@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: Sgt David Bret <melfordsmith@ymail.com>
Reply-To: sgtdavid.bret209@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:31:09 -0800 (PST)
Subject: I NEED YOUR URGENT ATTENTION...


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: melfordsmith@ymail.com



- Good day, my name is David Bret,I am an American soldier, I am serving in the military of the 1st Armored Division in Iraq, as you know we are being attacked by insurgents everyday and car bombs. We managed to move funds belonging to Saddam Hussein’s family.The total amount is US$25 Million dollars in cash, mostly 100 dollar bills. We want to move this money to you, so that you may invest it for us and keep our share for banking. You can go to this web link to read about events that took place there:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm We will take 70%, my partner and I. You take the other 30%.No strings attached, just help us move it out of Iraq, Iraq is a war zone.We plan on using diplomatic courier and shipping the money out in two large silver boxes, using diplomatic immunity. If you are interested I will send you the full details, my job is to find a good partner that we can trust and that will assist us. Can I trust you? When you receive this letter, kindly send me an e-mail signifying your interest including your most confidential telephone/fax numbers for quick communication also your contact details.This business is risk free.The box can be shipped out in 48hrs.Respectfully,Sgt.David Bret.EMAIL sgtdavid.bret209@gmail.com Regards Sgt David.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam