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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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• What can you do when you receive 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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • secretaryjohnudo@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: KATA KEVIN <katakevin55@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:48:36 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETARY


Dear friend.
I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the cooperation of a new partner from England.
Now, I want you to contact my secretary on the information below NAME;
Mr, John Udo ; ( secretaryjohnudo@yahoo.co.uk )
ask him to send you the total sum of
A CASHIER'S CHEQUE ($1,5000,000.00), which I kept for your compensation. CONTACT THE SECRETARY ON this email
( secretaryjohnudo@yahoo.co.uk )
Furnish him with your informations like;
Your full name.............
your contact address..................
your phone numbers.................
Mailing address........
Regards,
Dr.Kata Kevin,
Yours Faithfully.

Nervous about who has your email address? Protect yourself with AddressGuard, new from Yahoo! Mail.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam