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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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• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
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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.

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:
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "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!
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +447031970826 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: Barrister Williams Goddard <barrister_wilgoddard@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2006 13:51:41 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Payment Options/Call me



BEVERLY HILLS SWEEPSTKAES LOTTERY ORGANIZATION


Attention: O.Polet


Sir,


We hereby inform you that we have received the required information and the services of Certified Notary Public has been engaged to handle the notarization of your papers, and your payment is been processed. Your £250,000.00 (two hundred and fifty thousand POUND STERLING) will soon be ready for disbursement, along with your winning certificate.

In this regard you are to choose from the options below, on how you wish to receive your £250,000.00 (Two hundred and fifty thousand POUNDS STERLING) prize winning.

1. This option permits our Affiliated Courier Company to send the cheque of your Prize/Sum to you.
2. Permits you to receive your winning through Telegraphic Online Transfer [T/T] via our affiliate payment bank to your nominated Bank account.

In consonance with our policy, be advised that if you opt for Telegraphic Online Transfer [TT] to your designated bank account, or Affiliated Courier Company, you shall bear all liability related to this service. That is cost of this service would be borne by you. This is a prerequisite for this option.
You will be referred to our Paying Bank to enable make enquires concerning their modalities.

We expect that you will notify us of your choice upon receipt of this message so that appropriate arrangement can be put in place. Also note that all winners in your category are expected to claim their winning prize within twenty one (21)working days. All unclaimed payment will be recalled at the expiration of the maximum given days.

Sincerely,

Barrister Williams Goddard
+44-7031970826





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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam