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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.

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:
  • "deadline" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "vat (5%)" (VAT is 17.5% in the UK but 5% in Nigeria)
  • "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +447024094401 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Lesley Baker" <lesleybaker@swiftlinkcourierservices.net>
Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2006 11:15:28 +0000
Subject: REF:UK/CL24 SWIFTLINK COURIER SERVICES(CPEL/OWN/9876)

SWIFTLINK COURIER SERVICES LTD.

Unit 11, Ashford Industrial Estate,
Shield Road, Ashford, Middx,
TW15 1AU, london.
United Kingdom.

 

---

OUR REF:UK/CL24

DATE:22ND OCTOBER 2006.

ATTENTION:TANGUY VALERE,

 

 Thanks for contacting Swiftlink Courier Services.A certificate of winnings and other certificates including a winning cheque has been sent to us by the claims officer of overseas Winner,UK National Lottery.This is to inform you that after verification of your claims particulars,we have therefore decided to deliver the package to you.You are to please confirm your alternative mailing address to enable us dispatch your parcel immediately.
Note that the parcel will not be delivered to P.O.Box address or street corners but to your residence.

 

With regards to this, you are required to select the most convenient of the  three options below for a smooth delivery of your package to you:

 

               SWIFTLINK DELIVERY OPTIONS.

 

 FIRST CLASS DELIVERY

Max Delivery Duration..............................................24Hrs

Mailing /freight cost ................................................£100.00

Handling Fee...........................................................£50.00

Fuel Surcharge ........................................................£40.00

Insurance................................................................£260.00

Vat(5%)..................................................................£50.00

TOTAL......................................................................£500.00

 

SECOND CLASS DELIVERY

Max Delivery Duration..............................................48hrs

Mailing /freight cost.................................................£80.00

Handling Fee...........................................................£45.00

Fuel surcharge.........................................................£30.00

Insurance................................................................£220.00

Vat(5%)..................................................................£40.00

TOTAL .....................................................................£415.00

 

THIRD CLASS DELIVERY

Max Delivery Duration..............................................72hrs

Mailing/freight cost..................................................£65.00

Handling Fee...........................................................£40.00

Fuel surcharge ........................................................£28.00

Insurance................................................................£200.00

Vat (5%).................................................................£32.50

TOTAL .....................................................................£365.50

 

 

Respond to this email by making a selection from the three options above.Also send to us a scanned copy of either your driver's license or any form of legal identification.

 

Finally, be reminded that the deadline for the claiming of package is exactly one week after the receipt of this email . After this period, your package will be returned back to the office of UK National Lottery.You are to get back to me so that I can advice you on how to make the required payments.

 

Thanks for your anticipated coorporation.

 

LESLEY BAKER,

SWIFTLINK COURIER SERVICES.

Tel: +44-702-409-4401
Fax: +44-707-572-7937

 

SWIFTLINK COURIER SERVICES

• Domestic roadfreight service
• International Courier
• Seafreight and European roadfreight

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam