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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "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)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447045770342 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: noah smith <noahsmith_partners63@msn.com>
Reply-To: <noah_smith207@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:51:59 +0000
Subject: (This Is For Your Attention)



Mr Noah Smith
20 Park Road,
Bristol BS 25LJ, England

Dear Sir/Madam

This is for your attention

We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the total sum of £8,600,000.00GBP (Eight million Six hundred thousand British pounds) in the intent of the deceased (name now withheld since this is our second letter to you).
We contacted you because you bear the surname identity and therefore can present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance since there is no written will Our legal services aim to provide our private clients with a complete service.

We are happy to prepare wills, set-up and administer Trustscarry out the administration of estates and prepare and administer powers of attorney. All the papers will be processed in your acceptance. In your acceptance of this deal we request that you kindly forward to us your letter of acceptance; your current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding address to enable us file necessary documents at our high court probate division for the release of this sum of money.
You can give us a call with this phone number for oral conversation +447045770342

Yours faithfully
Noah Smith

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam