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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.

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)
  • "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "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 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.
  • johnzik@priest.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "j_ohnkane Gazeta.pl" <j_ohnkane@gazeta.pl>
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2008 19:08:37 +0100
Subject: NOW CONTACT FEDEX COURIER COMPANY.


My Dear Friend,

I want to inform you that the fee for your Draft check has been paid because
I went to the Eco bank that issued the cheque to confirm if the cheque has
expired and the manager of Eco Bank Benin told me that before the check will
get to you it will expire.

So I told him to cash the $1.3 Million dollars, all the necessary
arrangement of delivering of the $1.3 Million dollars in cash was made with
FEDEX COURIER COMPANY.

Here is the contact of the FedEx Company World Wide bellow.
ATTN: Mr JOHN ZIK.
EMAIL: (johnzik@priest.com)

Please send them your contacts information to enable them locate you
immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX. This information
they need from in order to delivery your box to your address.

1. YOUR FULL NAME...
2. YOUR HOME ADDRESS....
3 YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.....
4. YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.......
5. A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE.........

Please make sure you send this needed information's to the Director General
FedEx Company world wild in Benin Mr JOHN ZIK. With the address given to you
Note. The FedEx Company here doesn't know the contents of the Box.

I registered it as damages of jeans returning to the retailer. Note: The
Company doesn't know that the content of the box is money. Please don't let
them to know that the content of the Box is money to avoid them from
delaying with the box. I am waiting for your urgent response.

Meanwhile the only fee you have to pay them is $95 USD they will use to
obtain insurance certificate and claims of affidavits that will prove that
the box belongs to you. Be rest assure that all other fees have Been paid by
me,
I am waiting for your urgent response.

Thank you,
Dr JOHN KANE.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam