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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "tax clearance" (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "cashier's check" (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. )
• 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.
  • +27730385679 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Windom Live Microsoft InternetExplorer <microjackpot48@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2007 16:08:56 +0200
Subject:
=?Windows-1252?Q?Microsoft=AE_/_MasterCard=AE_has_awarded_you_the_sum_=A3?=
=?Windows-1252?Q?6,600,000.00...?=



MasterCard® / Microsoft® INTERNATIONAL MEGA JACKPOTBradford City Centre Branch7 hustlergate bradford, West YorkshireMICROSOFT OFFICE, UNITED KINGDOMDIRECTOR;Mr. Macwell Hunt EXT 009 REGISTRATION NO: 9027640INSURANCE NO: MSTC006TAX CLEARANCE NO: 28456AMOUNT WON: £6,600,000.00 Finally,this email address has brought you an unexpected luck, please read through this message. Your e-mail address was selected and confirmed by our co-sponsor Microsoft International, through their latest internet software. You are therefore been approved by MasterCard Int. /Microsoft UK the sum of £6,600,000.00 (SIX MILLION, SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS). Equivalent to $11,064,000 USD. (Eleven Million, sixty four thousand US Dollars). In cash, Credited to a valid cashier's check, With winning Reg. No. MCIMJ: 5148/4178. Be informed that your prize has been insured and ready for pay out. All the 08 winners were selected through the Microsoft computer ballot system (MCBS) drawn from each continent and from each ISP, by the most powerful Microsoft Software Incorporation, as part of our International "E-MAIL" Promotions Program, to promote the use of MasterCard’s and the use of Microsoft Offices all over the World. Further more, to promote the use of E-mails and cards for online payments. Send the claims requirements to your claims administrator for further instructions see the email addresses below. Claims Requirements:1. Full Name:.....................................2. Address:.......................................3. Nationality:...................................4. Age:.......... Date of Birth:.................5. Occupation:....................................6. Phone:................Fax:.....................7. State of Origin:...........Country:............ MasterCard® / Microsoft® Claims AdministratorName: Attorney Cory I. CashE-mail: cashcoryesq@excite.comPhone: +27 730 385 679 PROCEEDURES / RIGHTS AND PRECAUTIONS.Contact the Claims Administrator with all your claims requirements well filled. Your claims Administrator will give you all the guide lines on how to process your claims. Your claims administrator, has the due right to disqualify you for misconduct. Any mail received of such should be reported to the claims Administrator above. This will help fight scam. You will need a Legal Adviser (An Attorney) to help you sign all the necessary documents. SecretaryMs Clara Johnson@ MasterCard® / Microsoft® Mega Jackpot. WARNING!!!ANY MAIL RECIEVED OF THIS SUCH WITH ANY OTHER TRADE MARK OR ADDRESS SHOULD BE FOWARDED TO YOUR CLAIMS AGENT IMMEDIATELY; THIS WILL HELP US TO FIGHT SCAM AND LOTTERY IMPOSTERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED CO-OPERATION.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam