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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:

• 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)
• 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 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.
  • +31613795118 (Netherlands, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: directagent002@netscape.net
Date: Tue, 09 May 2006 07:21:30 -0400
Subject: URGENT REPLY

Dear Winner,

However be informed that the management has decided and required you to forward the following details to help facilitate the processing of your certificate and the release of your winning prize.

1. Full names.
2. Residential address.
3. Phone number and fax number
4.Date of Birth
5.Marital Status
6.Occupation
7.Next of Kin
8.Mode of Payment-Bank Cheque or Wire Transfer Or Cash (Indicate)

You are advised to forward these informations as soon as possible to enable us process your winnings.Please note that your winning prize is with the paying Agent and you will be issued a letter of approval which will lead to the release of your prize winnings.

After due processing has been done, a Certificate of winning will be presented to you.
The certificate stands as proof of source of the funds,this process is vital and urgent following the instruction from the Nederlands Govt Gaming Board Authorities that all prize money should be claimed as soon as possible.

As soon as you forward all necessary information requested, we shall give you a call.

Once again accept our congratulations and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

You are free to call us on.Tel: 0031-613-795-118 if you have any questions.

Best Regards,
Mavis Cook
___________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam