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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:
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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:

• 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:
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • tony_johnson775@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Tony Johnson" <tony.johnson4@telegraf.by>
Reply-To: tj_tonyjohnson20062006@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 09:37:00 -0700
Subject: GOOD DAY


Bank of Ghana
Accra-Ghana


Dearest,

I know this letter will come to you as a surprise because you do not know me
before; my name is Mr. Tony Johnson Director Cargo Department, Bank of
Ghana.

During the airlift of some presidential luggage to Europe, I and my
colleagues in the above department unanimously decided to include additional
luggage.
containing US$8million only for our own benefit It was labeled "Photographic
Equipment" for security reasons. I am obliged to contact you to
assist us on getting the luggage cleared from the agent and delivered to
you. As we have agreed on the following terms.

(1) All relevant documents to claim the luggage will be procured in your
name to enable the agent deliver the luggage to your mailing address. (2)
You will be
entitled to a share of 25% of the total amount. (3) 5% of the total amount
will be set aside for expenses on both sides. (4) 70% of the total amount
will be for my
colleagues and me.

If this business terms and conditions are ok by you, kindly contact me on my
telephone number above or on my private emailaddress:
tony_johnson775@hotmail.com ,
also, furnish me with your full names, mailing address and your personal
telephone / fax numbers, for easier communication for i mmediate forwarding
to the agent in Europe.

Note that this business is 100% risk free, as all relevant documents to back
up the claim will be procure in your name. However, we advice you to keep
the entire transaction close to yourself until you received the luggage. For
security reasons other modalities will be discussed as soon as you response
to me.

Yours Faithfully,

Mr. Tony Johnson
Director Cargo Dept

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam