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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "money orders " (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. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
  • "cheques " (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. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• 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.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • eppco_pro@rediffmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Emirates Petroleum Products Company (EPPCO) <eppco_pro@rediffmail.com.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:14:38 +0400
Subject: OFFER : TO BE OUR INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE LEGAL AGENT


Emirates Petroleum Products Company,
P.O.Box 451,
Dubai,United ArabEmirate.
I am Mrs. Jane Chung, The Public Relation Officer (PRO.)of
the above company. This company is into the Exportation of Crude
Oil, Minerals and other petroleum extracts. This company
isestablished under the Company and Allied Matter with the
CorporateAffairs Commissions of the United Arab Emirates.
Having gone through a methodical search, I decided to contact you
hoping that you will find this proposal interesting. we are interested
in employing your services to work with us as a private payment
agent that can help us establish a medium of receiving payment for
Oil that was supplied to our customers in your location,as the company
is already experiencing difficulties in receiving payments from them.
Most of our dealers pay out in cheques and money orders and we do not
have an account in your country that will clear this money.
It is upon this note that we seek your assistance to stand in as our
representative in your country. It is important to let you know that,
as our representative, you will receive 10% of whatever amount you clear
for the company and the balance will be for the company.
We awaiting your reply through this email address:eppco_pro@rediffmail.com
For further details, endeavor to forward the following
below:
1. Full Names:
2. Company Name:
3. Full Contact Address,
We shall treat your reply as urgent as possible.
Thanks for your time and remain blessed.

Mrs.Jane Chung.
Emirates Petroleum Products Company.
United Arab Emirate

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam