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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:
  • "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "million us dollars" (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)
  • "amsterdam holland" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "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 fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
• 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.
  • j_franklinramsey2002@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: JOHN NORTHRUP <john_northrup2005@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2007 01:24:38 +0000
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION.



EURO AFRO ASIA SWEEPSTAKES LOTTERY INTERNATIONALAN AFFILIATE OF FUNDMONEY INTERNATIONALDE BRINK 22 3871 AM HOEVELAKEN NETHERLANDS. WINNING NOTIFICATION.
We happily announce to you the draw of the Euro - AfroAsian Sweepstake Lottery International programs held on the 14thOctober,2007,in Amsterdam Holland. Your e-mail address attached toticket number:6947443465 L25 whichsubsequently won you the lottery in the 3rd category.You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of $1.5 Million us Dollars in cheque. Please note that your lucky winning number (01) (46) (52) (96) (70) bonus number (23) falls within our Africa booklet representative in UK London as indicated in your play coupon, In view of this, your $1.5 Million US Dollars cheque would be released to you by our fiduciary agent inUK London. Our Fiduciary agentwill immediately commence the processing of your winning prize to facilitate the release of your cheque to you as soon as you contact him:Email:j_franklinramsey2002@yahoo.co.uk To avoid unnecessary delays and complications,you are to contact thefiduciary agent: Franklin ramsey J, in UK Londont with the followings details below: 1. FULL NAMES :2. DATE OF BIRTH:3. SEX:4. MARITAL STATUS:5.CONTACT ADDRESS:6.TELEPHONE NUMBER:7.OCCUPATION:8.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY/INDIVIDUAL: 9.WINNING E-MAIL ADDRESS:10.WINNING NUMBER:11.TOTAL AMOUNT WON:12.COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE:13.COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Thank you for being part of this promotional lotteryprogram. Our special thanks and gratitude to Sultan of Brunei,Bill Gates of microsoft and all his associates.
Sincerely,Mr.John NorthrupOnline Cordinator.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam