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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.

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:
  • "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 fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
• 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.
  • +447045732815 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • infospeedexpresscourier@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: Claims Officer <claimsprocessingunit1@yahoo.es>
Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:30:41 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: CONTACT COURIER COMPANY(YAHOO PROMO)





Hello Winner,

I received your email and have forwarded your winning check of GBP 2,500,000.00 POUNDS to the courier firm that will handle the delivery. It will be delivered to you after you have taken care of the required cost which can be handled by you. You are to proceed to your bank with the check to cash it once you receive it.

You are to contact the courier at once with your full name, address and valid contact phone number all the requirements to sending your cheque to you. You should also send to the courier firm all your winning details,like Reference number, amount won, and the name of lottery
won.Below are their contact details:

SPEED EXPRESS COURIER
lands, England, UK
Phone: +44 70457 32815
+44 70457 32815

Handling Officer: Mr. Mack Brain
E-mail: infospeedexpresscourier@yahoo.co.uk

Details of the required cost will be communicated to you by the courier firm once you contact them. You are to keep me fully informed on all developments.


AND PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU ARE TO SEND THE BELOW INFORMATIONS REQUIRED TO CLAIM YOUR WINNING PRIZE:

1. FULL NAMES: _________________________________________
2.NATIONALITY: _________________________________________
3. DATE OF BIRTH ________________________________________
4. SEX: _________________________
5. MARITAL STATUS: _____________________________________
6. CONTACT ADDRESS: __________________________________________
7. TELEPHONE NUMBER: ___________________
8. OCCUPATION: _________________________________
9. WINNING E-MAIL ADDRESS:________________________________
10.REF/ BATCH NUMBERS:_________________________________________
11.TOTAL AMOUNT WON:_________________________________________


Sincerely,
Mrs.Susan Anthony


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Sé un Mejor Amante del Cine
¿Quieres saber cómo? ¡Deja que otras personas te ayuden!.


---------------------------------

Sé un Mejor Amante del Cine
¿Quieres saber cómo? ¡Deja que otras personas te ayuden!.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam