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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
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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.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • blessing_mandela204@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "jokohs " <jokohs_zenta@rediffmail.com>
Date: 16 Jul 2007 22:01:47 -0000
Subject: CONTACT MR MANDELA


Dear Friend,
This is to thank you for your effort.I understand that your handsweretied. Not to worry. I have succeeded,the money has been transferedintothe account provided by a newly found friend of mine in Antigua andBabuda, Tocompensate for your past assistance and commitments, I want you tocontact my secretary on the information below:Name: Mr.Mandela&nbsp; .E-mail: (blessing_mandela204@yahoo.fr), I have droppeda cashier cheque for 800,000 Dollar for you.I am in Antigua. with myfamily presently.I do intend to establish some business concerns here,and possibly buy some properties. Contact my secretary, Mr.Mandela, on; (blessing_mandela204@yahoo.fr)You are to forward to him your mailing address , And the following1.YOUR FULL NAME:_________________2.YOUR Country ADDRESS:____________________________3.TELEPHONE NUMBER:___________4.OCCUPATION:_________________5. SEXThen ask him to send the check to you.Take good care of your self.Regards,Barrister Jokoh Zenta (Esq).

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam