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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your payment is being processed" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • johnstevedr_jstfour@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: JOHN STEVE <kkjohnkdsteve@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <dr_jstfour@yahoo.fr>
Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2007 10:37:28 +0000
Subject: VERIFICATION OF YOUR PAYMENT FILE.


DR. JOHN STEVEDEPUTY GOVERNOR,INTERNATIONAL OPERATION DEPT.
DEAR BENEFICIARY,
VERIFICATION OF YOUR PAYMENT FILE.
FROM THE RECORDS OF OUTSTANDING CONTRACTORS, NEXT OF KIN FUNDS ANDLOTTERY FUNDS DUE FOR IMMEDIATE PAYMENT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFNIGERIA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, YOUR NAME/PARTICULARS WAS DISCOVERED ASNEXT ON THE LIST OF THE OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS WHO HAVE NOT YET RECEIVEDTHEIR PAYMENTS.
I WISH TO INFORM YOU THAT YOUR PAYMENT IS BEING PROCESSED AND WILLBE RELEASED TO YOU AS SOON AS YOU RESPOND TO THIS LETTER. ALSO NOTETHAT FROM THE RECORD IN MY FILE YOUR OUTSTANDING PART PAYMENT IS US$1, 700,000.00 (ONE MILLION SEVEN HUNDREDTHOUSAND UNITED STATESDOLLARS).
KINDLY RE-CONFIRM TO ME THE FOLLOWINGS:
1) YOUR FULL NAME.2) YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS3) PHONE, FAX AND MOBILE #.4) COMPANY NAME, POSITION AND ADDRESS.5) PROFESSION, AGE AND MARITAL STATUS.
AS SOON AS THIS INFORMATION IS RECEIVED, YOUR PAYMENT WILL BE MADETO YOU IN A CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT OR WIRED TO YOUR NOMINATED BANKACCOUNT DIRECTLY FROM OUR HOUSTON TEXAS PAYMENT CENTER (M & T BANKHOUSTON TEXAS U.S.A). YOU CAN MAIL ME ON MY DIRECT EMAIL ADDRESS AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE THIS MEMO FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
REGARDS,
DR. JOHNSTEVEdr_jstfour@yahoo.fr
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This E-Mail is intended only for the use ofthe individual or entity to which it is addressed and may containinformation that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you have received this communication in error,please do not distribute and delete the original message. Please notify the sender by E-Mail at the address shown. Thank you for your compliance.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam