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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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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:
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
• 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.
  • +34680804639 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • infojose@aim.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Maria Javier"<centrol2003@aim.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:17:06 +0200
Subject: Appreciate your utmost confidentiality

Hello Dear,

My name is Mrs.Maria Javier ; I am a dying woman who has decided to
donate what I have to you/church.
I am 59 years old and I was diagnosed for cancer for about 2 years ago immediately after the death of my husband who has left me everything he worked for and because the doctors told me i will not live longer than some weeks because of my health i decided to
WILL/donate the sum of €3 500 000 Three million five hundred thousand
dollars to you for the good work of humanity and also to help the
motherless and less privilege and also for the assistance of the widows.

I wish you all the best and may the good Lord bless you abundantly and
please use the funds well and always extend the good work to others.Here is the Contact information of my Attorney below:

C & F Consultores
Abogados y Asesores Tributarios

Sr.Jose Williams
Avenida Diagonal 546-5 28089 madrid Spain
Phone/Fax:+34-680-804-639
Email:infojose@aim.com

Forward your contact details to the lawyer for immediate communication Full Name:Full address:Tel/fax:State/Country and tell him that I have WILLED €3 500 000.00
to you and I have also notified him. I know I don't know you but I have
been directed to do this. Thanks and God bless.

NB: I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this matter until the
task is accomplished as i don't want anything that will jeopardize my last
wish.
>From Mrs.Maria Javier

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam