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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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• What can you do when you receive 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.

Fraud email example:

From: "ARNOLD SMART" <melriseinternational@msn.com>
Reply-To: arnoldsmart@walla.com
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2006 06:28:32 +0000
Subject: PLEASE TREAT AS URGENT

PLEASE TREAT AS URGENT

Dear Sir/Madam,


I am Mr.Arnold Smart, managinig of Melrise International Ltd UK. we are a
group of business men who deal on machinery and export into the Canada/
America and Europe.

We are searching for representatives who can help us establish a medium of
getting to our customers in the canada/America and Europe as well as making
payments through you (as our payment officer) to us.

Please if you are interested in transacting business with us, we will be
very glad. Subject to your satisfaction you will be given the opportunity to
negotiate your mode of which we will pay you for your services as our
representative in Canada/America and Europe.

Note, there is no financial obligation required from you, and this
transaction is 100% risk free.If this proposal is accepted by you, A swift
acknowledgement on the receipt of this mail will be appreciated, furnishing
me via email with your

(1) Your full names,
(2) Age and Sex
(3) Contact address and, Phone/fax numbers.

Please Reply me through this email address: arnoldsmartfme@mmail.com

Respectfully Yours,

Mr.Arnold Smart.
MANAGING DIRECTOR
MELRISE INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam