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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.

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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:
  • "sent to you via courier service" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Mrs Sonia <so.nia033@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <so.nia023@hotmail.fr>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:42:07 +0100
Subject: Dea,



Dea, I am getting back to you after a receiving an instruction from the attorney - Mr. Casey Cyprian on the position of the cheque [with your name boldly written on the cheque] left behind by my boss to be delivered to you as he had instructed. He confided in me that he had successfully concluded the transaction with the help of a new partner he secured when you could not conclude the project with him, he asked me to tell you that this was his token of appreciation and thanks to you. I want you to know that your cheque will be sent to you via courier service, as this is a safer means other than the regular post and it is efficient and secure. Your bank can verify and then pay you your money without any fuss.
I will need you to reconfirm the information below to be accurate for effective delivery of your cheque to your address:

1. Your Full Name; ..................................................

2. Residence address: ...............................................
3. Telephone number: ................................................
4. Fax Number: ................................................
5. Your Age : .................................................

I await your further update.
Do have a good day. Sincerely Greetings Sudan
_________________________________________________________________
Votre contact a choisi Hotmail, l'e-mail nouvelle génération. Créez un compte.
http://www.windowslive.fr/hotmail/default.asp

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam