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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • afamadams@inmail24.com

Fraud email example:

From: "ibrahim chuma" <ibrahimchuma54@islammemo.cc>
Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:46:28 +0200
Subject: contact him now


Dear Friend
It is my pleasure to reach you after our unsuccessful
attempt on our business transaction Well I just want
to use this medium to thank you very much for your
earlier assistance to help me in receiving the funds
 without any positive outcome.
  
I am obliged to inform you that I have succeeded in
receiving the funds with the help of a new partner
from Paraguay Mr Fernando Alvaro Gomez,Everything was
perfectly done because we strike a deal with one of
the Lady Accountant who works with the Federal
Ministry of Finance (F.M.F) and she rendered a
tremendous help to us My new partner initiated this
idea and everything worked out successfully In
appreciation of your earlier assistance to me in
receiving the funds I have decided to compensate you
with the sum of $850,000,00. Eight Hundred and Fifty
Thousand United States Dollars in a Cashier's cheque.
This is from my own share I didthis simply to show
appreciation to you for your kind support and
assistance even though we could not succeed due to
some unforseen circumstances and reason. 
  
  Presently I am in Paraguay for investment project
with my own share under the advice of my partner
Meanwhile I didn't forget your past efforts and
attempts to assist me in transferring this funds
despite the fact that we could not succeed I will be
sending you e-mail from time to time to know if you
have received your share or not. In the light of the
 above you are therefore to contact my lawyer
BARRISTER AFAM ADAMS, and do send him your contact
address where you want the cheque to be send  to you,
His e-mailaddress  is afamadams@inMail24.com   Please
do let me know immediately you receive it so that we
canshare the joy together after all the suffering at
that time In the moment I am verybusy here in
Asuncion the capital city of Paraguay because of the
investment projects which the new partner and I are
having at hand. So feel free to get in touch with him
to send the cheque to you without  any delay.
With My Best Regards,
Mr  IBRAHIM CHUMA
afamadams@inMail24.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam