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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:
  • "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!
• 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.
  • +447045720704 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: DR CARTER SAVAGE <specialclaimsoffice005@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2007 13:44:35 +0100 (BST)
Subject: YOU HAVE BEEN ACCREDITED FOR PAYMENT




Dear Winner

A scanned copy of your WINNING CERTIFICATE will be sent to you in our next mail to confirm your legibility as a WINNER of the just concluded promotions.

The Original HARD copy of the CERTIFICATE, and your WINNING CHEQUE of 250,000POUNDS, and all other priority winning documents are all included in the parcel in our custody awaiting dispatch to your place of residence.

There are Two Options with which your parcel can be delivered. Listed below are these Two options. You are to choose one and get backto us as soon as possible.

OPTION 1

COURIER: With this option, your winning parcel will be delivered to your place of residence by our affiliate courier company.



OPTION 2

BANK TO BANK TRANSFER: The said funds will be transferred into your local bank account in your country as soon as you comply with the policy of company and the transferring bank which is governed by the banking and financial laws of united kingdom.



NOTE: You are to choose one of the above options and write back as soon as possible to enable us provide you with their corresponding conditions that will facilitate the speedy delivery of your winnings to you as soon as possible..

Expecting your swift response


Warmest Regards,
Carter Savage(Dr)
+44 704 572 0704




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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam