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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • ronald_greg@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: magnus williams <magnuswilliams91@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:03:45 -0800 (PST)
Subject: COMPENSATION MONEY



Dear Friend ,

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your
family?,You may not understand why this mail came to
you.

But if you do not remember me,you might have receive
an email from me in the past regarding a
multi-million-dollar business proposal which we never
concluded.

I am using this opportunity to inform you that this
multi-million-dollar business has been concluded with
the assistance of another partner from PERU who
financed the transaction to a logical conclusion.
I thank
you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer
of the fund into your account due to one reason or the
other best known to you.
But I want to inform you that I have successfully
transferred the fund into my new partner's account in
PERU, who was eventually, capable of assisting me in
this great venture. Due to your effort, sincerity,
courage and trust worthiness You showed during the
course of the t ransaction I want to compensate you
and show my gratitude to you with the sum of
$1,200,000.00. I have left a certified international
bank draft for you
worth of $1,200,000.00($1.2million) cashable anywhere
in the world. My dear friend I will like you to
contact my Pastor , his name is Pastor Ronald Greg, on
his direct email address(ronald_greg@hotmail.com) for
the collection of your certified Bank Draft.I
authorized him to release the Bank Draft to you
whenever you contact him reguesting for it.

At the moment, I'm very busy here because of the
investment projects,which I and the new partner are
having at hand. Please I will like you to accept this
token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my
heart, Also comply with Pastor Ronald Greg directives
so that he will send the draft to you without any
delay.

His email address once agai n:(
ronald_greg@hotmail.com) Therefore, you should send
him your full Name and telephone number/your correct
mailing address where you want him to send the draft
to you,

Thanks and God bless you and your family.

Hoping to hear from you as soon as you cash your Bank
Draft.
MR.MAGNUS WILLAMS.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam