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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:
  • "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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Anita Cole" <anitacole006@msn.com>
Reply-To: anitacole@ibibo.com
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:25:42 +0000
Subject: From Mrs Anita Cole (Request for Investment in your Country)

From: Mrs.Anita Cole
34 Klin Ave Moreleta Park
Pretoria 001 South Africa
Email: anitacole@ibibo.com

Dear Esteemed Friend,

I am Mrs.Anita Cole, from Zimbabwe Southern Africa .I am The Wife Of Late
Mr. Anderson Cole, the owner of Cole Harare farms Ltd, affected by President
Mugabes land reform acts which is depriving us of rights in all facts. I
apologize for inconveniences this message may bring to you.

However, it is an urgent call for assistance as our ugly predicaments here
in Johannesburg South Africa compelled my action.

Before the death of my late husband,he deposited the sum of US$15Million
dollars with a security firm in South Africa, which I will like to invest
for my only Son Mike, in your country through your personal assistance since
I am not business incline.

if you are interested do get back to me for more information kindly contact
my son Mike on the above E-mail address: anitacole@ibibo.com
You may wish to read about the problems in our country Zimbabwe through the
following links clearing any doubt proposition to ascertain my reasons of
contacting you and the situation we are in and really appreciate if you
assist us.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/918781.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/715001.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1063785.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6448559.stm

Waiting for your urgent response

Yours Truly
Mrs.Anita Cole
(For the Family)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam