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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:
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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: WINDOWS LIVE LOTTERY BOARD <msnwindowsmicrosoft.office@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:58:02 +0100 (BST)
Subject: URGENT INFORMATION NEEDED (POWERED BY WINDOWS MICROSOFT)


Mr.Cort Urnerder

This is to inform you that your mail received in this office.In regards to your mail,i most inform you that your cheque canb not be mailed to you directly due to the fact that this lottery company do not have any of your personal data in case of any unforseen purpose.

With all due respect,you should be informed that this lottery company follows its rules and regulation and that is to say we cannot mail your cheque to you without your personal infomation.If you want your winning cheque to be mailed to you,do send to this lottey company your correct information about yourself and location.Then your cheque would be transfered to our authorised courier company that would deliver your cheque along side with other vital documents for claims with a first class delivery.

Hope the content of this mail is well understood.Do have a wonderful day.

Best Regards
Mr.Willaims Wilcox


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam