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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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• What can you do when you receive 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.

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:
  • "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 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.
  • +22997740933 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • engijem@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: jimpeters10@freenet.de
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:49:04 +0100
Subject: GET INTOUCH WITH MY SECRETARY IJEM CHUKWUMA


Dearest friend,
I am BARRISTER JIM PETER and I am very happy to inform
you about my success in getting that fund transfered. Now I want you to
contact my secretery on the information below and receive your
compensation of U850,000,00 from him:
Name : IJEM CHUKWEMA
Phone number:
00229-977-40-933
EMAIL: engijem@hotmail.com

Send him the following
information to prove yourself to him:
Your full name;............
Your
address:..............
Your country:..............
Your
age:..................
Your occupation:...........
Your Phone
number:.........
Note that if you did not send him the above information
complete,he will not release the cheque to you because he has to be sure
that it is you.
Ask him to send you the total sum of 850,000,00)usd
Cashier\'s Cheque, which I kept for you.
Note also that i will not be
reached by email or phone for now because i am corrently away for
investment purpose with my share and i will be busy till about six
months time or a year.
Name....: IJEM CHUKWEMA
Phone
number:00229-977-40-933
EMAIL: engijem@hotmail.com


Regards,
BARRISTER JIM PETER



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http://office.freenet.de/dienste/emailoffice/produktuebersicht/power/mail/index.html

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam