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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +2348059871781 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Katie W." <gbotha@ite.net>
Reply-To: fedexe@live.com
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 00:00:06 +1000
Subject: CONTACT FEDEX EXPRESS COURIER SERVICE FOR YOUR PARCEL


Greetings!

I have been trying to reach for the funds your telephone is not
reachable i have made a arrangement for a Confirm able
Bank Draft of $800.000.00 USD,but I did not hear from you since that
time. Then I went and deposited the Draft with FEDEX COURIER SERVICE,
West Africa,
I will out of the country for a 3 Months Course and I will not come
back till end of July 2008.

What you have to do now is to contact the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE as
soon as possible to know when they will deliver your package to you
because of the
expiring date. For your information, I have paid for the delivering
Charge, Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fee of the Cheque .

The only money you will send to the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE to deliver
your Draft direct to your postal Address in your country is ($289.00 US)
Dollars only being Security Keeping Fees of the Courier Company so
far.Again, do not be deceived by any body to pay any other money except
$289.00US Dollars. I would have paid that but they said no because
they do not know when you will contact them and in case of
demurrage.You have
to contact the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE now for the delivery of your
Draft with this information below;

Contact Person: Rev.Fenadex Aminu.
Email Address:fedexe@live.com
Telephone: +2348059871781

Finally, make sure that you re-confirmed your Postal address and
Direct telephone number to them again to avoid any mistake on the Delivery
and ask them to give you the tracking number to enable you track your
package over there and know when it will get to your address.

Try to contact them as soon as you receive this mail to avoid any
further delay and remember to pay them for Security Keeping fees of
$289.00 US Dollars for their immediate action. You should also let me
know through email as soon as you receive your Draft.

Yours Faithfully,
Katie Frustien

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam