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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "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 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.
  • mr.charlseze@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: johnemene@freenet.de
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:49:48 +0100
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETARY NOW



Dear friend.

I am very happy to inform you about my success in
getting those funds
transferred under the cooperation of a new partner
in
China,Presently,I\'m in saudi arabia for the purpose of investing
my
own share of the
money.
Now, I want you to contact my secretary on
the information below
NAME; Mr,Charls Eze
EMAIL;
(mr.charlseze@yahoo.fr)

ADDRESS;Cotonou Benin Repulic
ask him to send
you the total sum of A CASHIER\'S CHEQUE ($850,000.00),
which I kept for
your compensation. CONTACT THE SECRETARY ON this
email
(mr.charlseze@yahoo.fr).

Furnish him with your informations like;


Your full
name........................
age..........................................

sex...........................................

countery..................................

address...................................
your phone
numbers.............
email........................................


Regards,
Mr,John Emene

.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam