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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:
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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:

• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "certified bank draft" (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. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • markndu000@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: promise ugo <promiseugo@orange.nl>
Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2007 20:12:14 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Contact my secretary for your compensation


Dear Friend,
Compliments of the day and God's blessings
I am glad to inform you that I have successfully concluded the transaction, the money has been transferred to London.It is done through the assistant of Mr.Howard Ferraro who is a London base business man.Currently I am in London with him and my wife and children.
However, I did not forget you because you are the source of my success,you made me what I am now though you are not there to complete this project with me but I gave all the credit and thanks to you. I know it is not your fault or rather your wish to back up on me and the transaction.

In appreciate of your assistance I have mapped out as a compensation and wrote on your favor a certified bank draft worth of US$1.5 Million (One Million Five Hundred Thousand, United States Dollar Only) I left the draft with my Secretary Barrister Mark Ndu on my departure to London. I would like you therefore,to contact him on the below info so that he can mail it to you.
Attn: Barrister Mark Ndu
Email: markndu000@yahoo.fr
I would have love to call you from London where I currently reside but due to the recent terrorist attack Mr.Ferraro advice me not to call because all internatonal calls are been monitored by the UK authority.Contact my secretary in Benin so that he can release your bank draft to you. I will stop here. Once again, thank you very much and remain blessed.
Regards,
Dr Promise Ugo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  

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