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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• 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:
  • "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)
  • "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Elizabeth Smith <mrselia113@msn.com>
Reply-To: <elizabeth.smith009@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:24:44 +0000
Subject: Dear Beloved In Christ,




Dear Beloved In Christ,





I am Mrs. Elizabeth Smith an aging widow suffering from long time illness. My condition is critical, although as a Christian, I believe in God that I will not die, but will live to declare the glory of God upon me. My husband was amongst the casualties of the terrorist attack that rocked London on the 7th of July 2005. I have some funds that I inherited from my late husband, the sum of US$8,400,000.00 United States Dollars, and I needed a very honest and God fearing Christian that will use the fund for spreading evangelism, I searched through the internet for this purpose, and I found your email address and decided to contact you. Please if you would be able to use the funds for the Lord's work, kindly respond back for further instructions.





Yours in the Lord,

Mrs. Elizabeth Smith.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam