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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash)
  • "cheques " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash)
• 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.
  • praveen365@yahoo.co.in

Fraud email example:

From: "Europe Payment Director An post International"
<maxwell_blair@anpostinternational.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 12:11:37 +0000
Subject: Attn: Praveen Das

Attn: Praveen Das

Your mail has been noted clearly.

Please note that the company does not take responsibility of your prize
hence the prize has been deposited with a bank and the bank demands a
commission of transfer, which should be paid by you. This is done to control
your prize claim.

Also your funds was covered by a hard cover insurance policy which makes it
impossible for any other person or even the bank or this company to deduct
from it except it has been transferred to an existing account which must be
provided by you.

This is done to ensure that all prizes goes to the actual winner and hence
you have won 1million pounds only it is not possible for the company to
offset any other charges for you as the amount is complete for you to
receive.

If you decide to make the transfer directly to your bank account the bank
will take a total of 0.2% before they will transfer the funds into your
account. You can make the calculation and you will know exactly how much you
will give to the bank before they can transfer the amount to your nominated
bank account by a telegraphic Transfer.

While the courier company will only be to deliver the original copy of your
Certificate and cheque but you will have to deposit the cheque in your bank
and the issuing bank will provide you with documents to back up the cheque
before it clears which might take some time hence that is the normal
procedures for all international cheques of such magnitude. The courier
company will inform you of their charges as you contact them.

I wait your response

Sincerely

Maxwell Blair



>From: praveen das <praveen365@yahoo.co.in>
>To: maxwell_blair@anpostinternational.com
>Subject: please clarify
>Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 14:19:43 +0100 (BST)
>
>To Mr.Blair maxwell,
>Received your mail giving me three choices to make to receive the winning
>prize.I have a genuine doubt.If you can award this high an amount as prize
>why cant you bear the expense of sending it to me.Anyway being here in
>india i will not be able to come there in person to receive the money. What
>will be the expense i will have to meet to get through courier or through
>bank. I like to pay it after getting the money. When you tranfer the money
>to me i am sure that you will provide necessary legal documents for the
>indian government to make enquries regarding this.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam