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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:

• 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:
  • "i will like you to " (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. )
  • "certified bank draft" (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.
  • pastor_josephagu@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: josephagu212@zipmail.com.br
Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 01:59:01 +0100
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Contact=20Rev=2CPastor=20Joseph=20Agu=2E?=

My Dear,

I am using this opportunity to thank you for your great effort to our unfinished
transfer of fund into your account due to one reason or the other best
known to you.But I want to inform you that I have successfully transferred
the Cheque out of the company to someone else who was capable of assisting
me in this great venture.

Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness you showed at
the course of the transaction I want to compensate you and show my gratitude
to you with the sum of 2.5Million USD$ I have authorized the finance house
where I deposited my money to issue you international certified bank draft
cashable at your bank.

Contact Rev,Pastor Joseph Agu. with below infotmation
Contact Name : Pastor Joseph Agu.
E-mail : pastor_josephagu@yahoo.fr

Ask him to release and send the sum of 2.5Million USD$ to you.At the moment,
I am very busy here because of the investment projects which myself and
my new partner are having at hand.Finally,remember that I have forwarded
instruction to the finance house on your behalf to send the bank draft to
you as soon as you contact them without delay.

Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from
the bottom of my heart.Contact Rev,Pastor Joseph Agu now.

Thanks and God bless you and your family.
Best Regards
Mr Benson Allard.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam