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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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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)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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. )
  • "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.
  • stmarycatholic@priest.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Alice Lacson <mrs_alice_lacson5@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2008 04:23:54 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Greeting's From Alice.


From Mrs. Alice Lacson.

Hello My Dear Friend,

How are you doing? Compliment of the day and to your family. I didn't forgot your past effort by trying to help me, I want to inform you that I have succeeded in getting those funds transferred under the co-operation of a new partner from Australia. who was introduce to me through his associate in Senegal.

I want to use this opportunity to thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of 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 out of my bank to someone else account who was capable of assisting me in this great venture through the help of the diplomat I told you about.

Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trustworthiness you showed to the course of the transaction I want to compensate you and show my attitude to you with the sum of £275.000.00 Pounds ( Two Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Pounds )

I have authorized the Rev Father Greg Udou. One of ( ST'MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH ) in Senegal where I deposited your money to issue you international certified bank draft cash-able at your bank. My dear friend I will like you to contact the Rev Father Greg Udou. for the collection of this international certified bank draft. The name and contact of the Person with your Cheque is as follows.

ST'MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH
Rev Father Greg Udou.
Email / stmarycatholic@priest.com

At the moment, I am very busy here because of the investment project that my new partner and I are having at hand. Finally, remember that I have forwarded instruction to the Rev Father. on your behalf to send the bank draft to you as soon as you contact them without delay.

Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart.

Thanks and God bless you and your family, hope to hear from you soon.

Yours Faithfully,

Mrs Alice Lacson.



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam