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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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 service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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 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!

Fraud email example:

From: teressa coddin <infounit_marvinschaaf@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2007 04:13:38 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Lottery Corresponding Email


Dear Adelaide,
Thanks for your corresponding email.What is expected off you now,is for you to send us the claims form that has been sent to you, with the required details needed from you.

After that, we shall furnish you with the contact detail of the affilliated courier company that will be handling the delivery of your certified cheque and your lottery winning certificate.

In respect to the EEC money movement restrictions in which you ask,Your winning is a granted prize from the British Gaming Board,and your cheque is a certified cheque,and if it concerns you,we have an online operating system with our paying bank here in the UK.

Therefore you will activate an online account with our paying bank,and your certified cheque will be deposited in the new actvated account, and after 3months of operating system,your funds will be available then transfered to your desired account in Germany.

Secondly if you prefer the courier services,as soon as you recieve your winning cheque you are to deposit it in your account with your bank in germany,bear in mind that your cheque is a universal cheque, and your name as been endoresed on it.

Thanks for your understanding, i anticipate your prompt response.

Regards,
Marvin Schaaf,
For Teressa Coddin
Lottery Controller.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam