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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.

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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)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "charles preval" <mrpreval07@biz.by>
Date: Mon, 26 May 2008 10:58:37 +0100
Subject: I Appreciated/ Pls Contact My Secretary


*Dear Friend,*
**
*I am Hon Charles Preval.*
**
*How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family?*
**
*You may not understand why this mail came to you. But if you do not
remember me, you might have receive an email from me in the past regarding a
multi-million-dollar business proposal which we never concluded.*

*I am using this opportunity to inform you that this multi-million-dollar
business has been concluded with the assistance of another partner from
INDIA who financed the transaction to a logical conclusion. *
**
*I thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of the fund
into your account due to one reason or the other .*

*But I want to inform you that I have successfully transferred the fund into
my new partner's account in INDIA , who was eventually, capable of assisting
me in this great venture. *
**
*Due to all your effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness you showed
during the course of the transaction,I want to compensate you and show my
gratitude to you with the sum of $950,000.00. *
**
*I left a Certified International Bank Draft for you worth of ($950,000.00
)cashable anywhere in the world with my secretary. *
**
*My dear friend please do contact my secretary in Benin Republic, his name
is *
**
*MR MARK EZE, on his direct email address*
*( **mrmarkeze@live.fr* <mrmarkeze@live.fr> *) for the collection of your
Certified Bank Draft.*
**
*I have authorized him to deliver the Certified Bank Draft to you whenever
you contact him reguesting for it.*

*At the moment, I'm very busy here INDIA because of the investment
projects,which I and my new partner are having at hand. *
**
*Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from
the bottom of my heart, also comply with my secretary MR MARK EZE's
directives so that he will deliver the Certified Bank Draft to you without
any delay or hitch.*
**

*My secretary's email address once again:( mrmarkeze@live.fr )**
Phone Number: 00 229 97 13 67 32 *
**
*Therefore, you should send to him your *
**
*Full Name *
**
*Telephone Number*
**
*Your Full Mailing Address, where you want him to send the Certified Bank
Draft to. *
**
*Thanks and God bless you and your family. *

*Hoping to hear from you as soon as you cash your Bank Draft.*

*Hon Charles Preval*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam