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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned 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.
  • commission_b@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: The BRITISH High Commission <thebritishhigh22@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: commission_b@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2009 19:55:00 +0100 (CET)
Subject: The BRITISH High Commission


BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION
Metro Plaza, Plot 991/992
Zakari Maimalari Street
Cadastral Zone AO,
Central business district Abidjan TEL:+

Attention
Mr ,
The BRITISH High Commission in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Bokinafaso received a report of scam against you and other British/US citizens and Malaysia Etc.The Countries of Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Benin Republic, Ghana and Bokinafaso have recompensed you following the meeting held with the Five countries' Government and various countries' high commission for the fraudulent activities carried out by the Five countries' Citizens.Your name was among those scammed as listed by the Ivory Coast Financial Intelligent Unit (ICFIU). A compensation has been issued out to all the affected victims and has been already in endorsement to all the victims. Yours was among those that was reported unpaid as at on Friday and we wish to advise you to see to the instructions of the Committee to make sure you receive your compensation immediately.
We advise that you do the needful to make sure the ICFIU endorse your payment on Monday. Contact the office of the consular for an advise on how your recompense will be effected to you.
commission_b@yahoo.com
Be advised that you should stop further contacts with all the fake lawyers and security companies who in collaboration scammed you.

Mr Adams Smith
Yours in Service,

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam