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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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• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "claims office" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "million pounds" (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)
  • "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 fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
• 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.
  • +447031902402 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: sergey alexandra <sergeyalexandra76@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:39:11 +0000
Subject: COURIER CONTACT DETAILS








Welcome to MasterCard Worldwide
CLAIMS OFFICER: Sergey AlexandraTEL: +44 703 190 2402


ATT. WINNER,( Tamara Lennee Ortiz)

I received your email and have forwarded your winning Parcel of GBP 6.6, MILLION POUNDS to the courier firm that will handle the delivery. It will be delivered to you on the appropriate date choosed by you (status of delivery) after you have taken care of the required cost. This is due to the insurance and other measure taken to secure your prize. Do make sure you call the courier firm to confirm the receipt of your prize delivery.

You are to contact the courier firm at once with your full name, address and a valid phone number and all the requirements to sending your cheque to you. You should also send to the courier firm all your winning details like, Reg number, amount won, and the name of lottery won. Below are their contact details: INTERPARCEL, UK $ INTERNATIONAL COURIER SERVICESInterparcel Ltd Small mead HouseHorley Surrey RH6 9AXDirector: Mr. Quantus ParkEmail: dispatchofficer@interparceldeliveryfirm.comPhone: +44 70457 29707 You will be given three different delivery status to choose one, you have the right to choose one delivery status, and this is mostly done to meet what your pocket can pay for.

Details of the required cost will be communicated to you by the courier firm once you contact them, Do contact them via the email address above. You are to keep me fully informed of all developments.

Sincerely,Sergey Alexandra



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam