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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "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. )
  • "cheques " (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 company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
• 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.
  • wong_chlee@yahoo.com.cn (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Hangzhou Iron & Steel Group Co., Ltd." <anruss@bigpond.com>
Reply-To: wogchll@yahoo.com.cn
Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2007 6:46:42 +0800
Subject: COLLECTION AGENT NEEDED


Hangzhou Iron & Steel Group Co., Ltd.
67 Elin South Road,
Huizhou City 516001,
Guangdong, China.

Dear Sir/Madam
COLLECTION AGENT WANTED
Hangzhou Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. is based in China. We produce and exports steel and other products for world trade. Our company remains one of the most successful in the distribution of steel, recently our profit hasincreased so much, that we decided to expand globally.

The reason we seek your urgent asisstance is that most of our customers make payment in cheques and American and Europe cheque takes a longer time to clear here in China thereby holding business down for us and our business associates.It is upon this note that we seek your assistance to stand in as our representative in your country.
Note that Details of your account is not needed in this transaction, Also, as our representative,your remuneration(Benefit) ison a percentage basis of 10% of the total amount you receive from our customers at any time on our behalf.

Please note that your areas of specialization or occupation is of no relevant to resolve in assisting us and there is no financial obligation at your end.All we need from you is total honesty and your committiment to work with us.
There are no assles as this is a work at home opportunity.Should you have a presentjob,you can still be part of our business as your service to us would not interfer with your working hours at all.

If you are interested in this position please forward to us the following information:

1) Your Full names:
2) Contact address:
3) Zip Code:
4) Home/office phone number:
5) Occupation:
6) Age:
7) Sex:
8) Country:

Note:You are to forward the above information to my private email address:wong_chlee@yahoo.com.cn

Yours Sincerely
Mr.Wong Chi lee
Chairman & CEO
Hangzhou Iron & Steel Group Co., Ltd.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam