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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
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• 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.

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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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. 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. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Mary Edeh <maryedeh1_2@hotmail.fr>
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:07:53 +0200
Subject: CONTACT HIM IMMEDIATELY



Dear friend,This is to inform you about my success in getting the money moved under the co-operation of a new patner from London.Presently,i'm in London for the purpose of investing my own share of he money.Meanwhile i did'nt forget your past efforts and attempts in assisting me to move the cash even though we were not successful.Now contact my Attorney in Benin-Republic on the underlisted contact:NAME:Mr Patrick ChikeEmail:patrick22chike@yahoo.frAsk him to send you a cheque to the sum of(£850,000.00)Eight hundred and fifty thousand pounds.which i kept for you as compensation for all your past efforts and attempts to assist me in this matter.I appreciated your efforts at that time so much.So feel free and contact my Attorney,Mr.Patrick Chike and give him instructions on where to send the money to you withou delay.Please let me know immediately you recieve it so that we can share the joy after all the sufferings at that time.At the moment,i am very busy here investing with my new partner.Best regards,Mrs Mary Edeh.
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam