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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:
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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:
  • "await your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "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.
  • +447045741232 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: John Slaughter <fdvdonation_ecowas@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 19:02:49 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Choose Payment Option and Proceed...





Fondazion Di Vittorio, ITALY.
http://www.fondazionedivittorio.it
BATCH NO: (N-222-6747,E-900-56)
Tel:+447045741232
Date:29-08-2007



ATTN: Mr Akriti,
I presume you are doing great today, i am in receipt of your mail and do understand the content of your mail. The only option of claiming your prize is by mailing you your cheque to the contact address you forwarded to this office.You are required to meet the delivery charges in order to claim your prize, and also you are required to choose your payment option sent to you on my previous mail in order to claim your winnings.


These documents have been securely sealed and packed for security reasons which makes it impossible for anyone to view it until its been delivered to you. Please choose from the delivery Options below, For safe delivery of your winning Cheque and other winning documents:


First Class Delivery:24hours
________________________
Mailing: $200.00
Insurance: $130.00
Handling charges: $120.00
Vat: $ 100.00
TOTAL: $550.00




Premium Class Delivery:72hours
____________________________
Mailing: $170.00
Insurance: $100.00
Handling charges: $20.00
Vat: $90.00
TOTAL: $480.00



Normal Class Delivery:120hours
________________________
Mailing: $125.00
Insurance: $100.00
handling charges: $100.00
Vat: $25.00
TOTAL: $350.00



I await your urgent response.

Best Regards,
Mr John Slaughter.
(Payment Remittance Office)








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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam