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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.

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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)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "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. )
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348025824103 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • chikaateli609@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Festus Eze" <festus8@gala.net>
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 17:41:42 +0100
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETARY


*Dear Friend,*

*How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I hope this
mail meets you in a perfect condition. You may not understand why this
mail came to you. But if you do not remember me, you
might have receive an email from me in the past regarding a
multi-million-dollar business proposal which we never concluded.*

*I am using this opportunity to inform you that the multi-million-dollar
business has been concluded with another person who financed it to a
logical conclusion. I thank you for you're great effort to our
unfinished transfer of fund into your account due to one reason or the
other best known to you.*

*But I want to inform you that I have successfully transferred the fund out
of my bank to my new partner's account in London that was capable of
assisting me in this great venture. Due to your effort,
sincerity, courage and trustworthiness you showed during the course of the
transaction I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the
sum of $650,000.00.*

*I have left an international certified bank draft for you worth
$650,000.00 cashable anywhere in the world.*

*My dear friend I will like you to contact my secretary: Mr. CHIKA ATELI,
for the collection of this international certified bank draft I have
authorized him to release the international certified bank draft to
you as soon as you contact him regarding this issue.*

*At the moment, I am very busy here because of the investment projects
which myself and the new partner are having at hand. Please I will like
you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the
bottom of my heart. Also comply with MR. CHIKA ATELI so that he will send
the draft to you without any delay, contact him on the below contact
information:*

*CONTACT: MR. CHIKA ATELI
ADDRESS: No 4 cooperation drive dolphins Lagos-Nigeria
TELEPHONE: 011 234 802 582 4103
EMAIL : **chikaateli609@hotmail.com* <chikaateli609@hotmail.com>

*Therefore, you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your
address where you want him to send the draft to you.*

*Thanks and God bless you and your family,hope to hear from you soon.*

*Festus Eze.
CONTACT MY SECRETARY: ( **chikaateli609@hotmail.com*<chikaateli609@hotmail.com>
* )*

**

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam