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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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)
  • "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. )
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • +22993915468 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Goodwill williams <goodwill_williams11@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <parcelxpress.courier@yahoo.fr>
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:40:13 +0100
Subject: Call the Company immedietly.



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 fund, without any positive out come. I am obliged to inform you that I have succeeded in Transfering the fund with the help of a new partner from Paraguay Mr. Fernando Alvaro Gomez. Everything was perfectly done because we stroke a deal with one of the Lady Accountant who works with the Federal Ministry of Finance (F M F), and she rendered tremendous help to us.
My new partner initiated this idea and it worked out successfully. In appreciation of your earlier assistance to me in receiving the fund, I have decided to compensate you with the sum of $1,550,000 (One Million Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) in a Cashier's cheque. Please accept it as a Token of appriciation from Me.
Presently, I am in Paraguay for investment project with my own share under the advice of my partner. Mean while, I didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring this fund despite the fact that we could not succeed. Since it was difficult to contact you Before i travelled due to the urgency, so i Deposited your Cashiers Cheque with Parcel Express Worldwide delivery Company In Benin Republic (ParcelX). Below is their contact details. COMPANY NAME : Parcel Express Courier Company Benin Republic.DIRECTOR : Dr Arnold Aka.EMAIL : parcelxpress.courier@yahoo.frTEL : +229-9391-5468 Your Cashiers Cheque deposit Code is (PX1022), Hence you contact Parcel Xpress Courier Company Benin Republic Immedietly to pay the Delivery Charge of your Cheque which is $185 USD and Reconfirm to them your Delivery address and Direct telephone number so that you can recieve your Compensation Rewards which is from my heart.
In the moment, I am very busy here in Asuncion the capital city of Paraguay Due to the investment projects, which the new partner and I Have at hand. So feel free to get in touch with (ParcelX) to send your Cashiers cheque to you without any delay and inform me as soon as you Recieve the Funds. Call the Company immedietly. With My Best Regards,Mr Goodwill williams
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam