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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +2348080507723 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: CLAIM AGENT LOTTERY <claim_o1@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <john_donald@mail.md>
Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:54:25 +0100
Subject: FROM CLAIM AGENT LOTTERY.



DEAR,SIR, Good day, how are you today i hope you are fine?. I am writing to inform you that your prize money (US$650,000.00) is ready for collection. You are therefore advised to contact immediately: ATTN: MR. George Smith.TEL: +234 8080507723EMAIL: gs_impex1955@yahoo.comWebsite: http://impexcscs.co.nr

However, all the necessary arrangement of delivering the
$650,000.00 USD UNITED STATES DOLLARS in cash will be made by IMPEX COURIER COMPANY. Please, send them your contacts information to enable them locate you immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX. This is what they need from you: 1. YOUR FULL NAME2. YOUR HOME ADDRESS.3. YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.4. YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.5. A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE Note.Most of the staff of Impex courier company doesn’t know the contents of the Box. It was registered as a BOX containing African Textile materials. They won't know it contains Coded Cash. This is to avoid them from delaying your BOX. Don’t let them know that it is money that is in that Box. I am waiting for your urgent response. You can even call the
Director of Foreign Operations Impex Courier company with this line:+234 8080507723 for quick delivery of your box to your Doorstep.

Thanks and Remain Blessed. Yours, Mr.JOHN DONALDCLAIM AGENT LOTTERY ,CALL ME :234+8033-476-557.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam