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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:

• 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:
  • "urgent assistance" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "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.
  • wongchilee_corp@yahoo.com.cn (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Hangzhou Iron & Steel Co Ltd <wongchilee_corp@yahoo.com.cn>
Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:37:23 +0200
Subject: ACCOUNT OFFICER NEEDED!

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


Dear Sir / Madam,

COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE NEEDED

I am Mr. Wong Chi Lee, president Hangzhou Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. based in China. We
specialized in the iron and steel products. We are searching for representatives
who can help us establish a medium of getting to our customers in the Canada,
America, Mexico and other nearby countries
as well as making payments through you to us.

We are searching for representatives who can help us establish a medium of getting
to our customers in America, Mexico and some part of Europe, as well as making
payments through you as our payment officer.

The reason we seek your urgent assistance is that most of our customers make
payment in cheques and American and Europe check 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) is on 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 are 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 present job, you can still be part of our business
as your service to us would not interfere with your working hours at all.

If you are interested in this transaction please forward to us the
following information;

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

Please note that your areas of specialization or occupation are of no relevant to
resolve in assisting us. You have to be an honest and trusted person, as more
payments will be made through you in the course of this transaction.

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

Yours Sincerely

Mr. Wong Chi Lee
Director General
Hangzhou Iron & Steel Co., Ltd.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam