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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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. )
  • "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. )
  • "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 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.
  • expressdelivery100@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: clara antonio <clara_antonio@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:54:33 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: CONTACT EXPRESS DELIVERY COMPANY IMMEDIATELY.


Dear Friend,

Good day, How are you today? I am writing to inform you that Your Cheque of $1.2m has been converted to cash to be delivered to you . The reason for that is that the Cheque is getting to expire and instead of you loosing the fund,I went to the Bank that issued the Cheque and thier Director helped me convert it to cash and as well deposited it with EXPRESS DELIVERY COMPANY.Just reconfirm your contacts information to EXPRESS DELIVERY COMPANY Immediately to avoid delivering the box contaning the fund of $1.2m to a wrong person. Below is the e-mail address of the Courier company and the name of thier Director you will contact.

Director: Dr. ODEY ROBERTS.
EMAIL: expressdelivery100@myway.com

This is to enable them locate you immediately they arrive your country with your Consignment. This is what they need from you.

1.YOUR FULL NAME TO AVOID ANY MISKATE ON DELIVERY.
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS WHERE YOU WHICH YOUR PACKAGE TO BE DELIVERED.
3.YOUR CURRENT TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR EASY COMMUNICATION WHEN THEY ARRIVE YOUR COUNTRY.

I am waiting for your urgent response.
Thanks and Remain Blessed,

Yours Sincerely,
Clara Antonio.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam