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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
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• 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.

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. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: TNT COURIER SERVICE <tntcourierservice_05@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2007 23:38:33 +0100 (BST)
Subject: URGENT























ATTENTION: GISELLE,

Congratulations! on your success at the uk e-lottery draws online program that has qualified you as a winner in the second category. We are very happy to be the courier firm that will be delivering your cheque and certificate of winnings that has already been forwarded to us by the Lottery Board for onward delivery to your address in Germany.

We at TNT wish to assure you that all logistics have been put in place and there is no need for you to be anxious. Be rest assured that your parcel will be delivered as soon as you make a selection of the delivery option that is most convenient for you and make the payment for the delivery to us. As soon as we recieve and confirm the payment from you, we will immediately proceed with the delivery of your cheque and certificate.

Our advise to you is to make a choice of the most convenient delivery option for you and make the payment by Western Union Money Transfer in order for us to commence the delivery of your parcel. Please, note that we will only proceed with the delivery as soon as we confirm payment and we will not deliver your parcel unless we recieve the payment from you.

Ensure that you make a selection and visit the nearest western union outlet in Germany to make the payment and when it is completed, endeavour to send the necessary payment details to us for verification and once payment is confirmed, we will commence the delivery of your parcel to your address in Germany.

Best Regards
Mr Smith White.





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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam