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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:
  • "million united states 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)
  • "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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • +22997850566 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • williamsbob@hotmail.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "henrry mark" <henrrymark13@mail.mn>
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:03:46 +0200
Subject: GOOD NEWS


GOOD NEWS
FROM MR HENRRY MARK MY DEAREST FRIEND,

WITH GREAT GRATITUDE TO YOUR EFFORTS, I AM INFORMING YOU THAT I HAVE
FINALLY SUCCEEDED IN TRANSFERRING THE FIFTEEN MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS
TO THE BANK IN ITALY,WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A PARAGUAY FRIEND,

WHOM BASED ON AGREEMENT,HE RECEIVED 25% OF THE ENTIRE MONEY FOR HIS
FINANCIAL INVOLVEMENT AND EFFORTS. PRESENTLY I HAVE RELOCATED TO SOUTH
KOREA, TO ESTABLISH THE ELECTRONIC COMPANY PROJECTS WITH MY OWN SHARE AS I
HAVE EARLIER PROPOSED. NEVERTHELESS, I CANNOT FORGET YOU,

ESPECIALLY YOUR HONEST EFFORTS, THOUGH IT DID NOT YIELD POSITIVE FRUIT,BUT
I STILL APPRECIATE IT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MEAN WHILE I HAVE A SUPRISE
PACKAGE FOR YOU, NOW CONTACT MY SECRETARY IN MY COUNTRY (BENIN REPUBLIC) HIS
NAME IS WilliamsBob PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU CONTACT HIM DIRECT
WHITH THIS PHONE NUMBER: +229-97850566 EMAIL ADDRESS
WILLIAMSBOB@HOTMAIL.FR

AND ASK HIM TO SEND YOU THE TOTAL OF $800.000.00, US DOLLAR TO YOU WHICH I
KEPT FOR YOUR COMPENSATION, I HAVE INSTRUCTED HIM TO DIRECT YOU ON HOW YOU
WOULD RECEIVE THE SUM OF EIGHT HUNDRED THOUNSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS IN A
CASHIER CHEQUE WHICH I SET OUT FOR YOUR COMPENSATION, PLEASE I WANT YOU TO
ACCEPT IT IN GOOD FAITH. I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL YOU DID AND I PRAY THAT WE
WOULD MEET SOMEDAY,

BUT RIGHT NOW, I AM VERY BUSY IN ESTABLISHING THE ELECTRONIC COMPANY
PROJECTS, SO FEEL FREE AND GET IN TOUCH WITH WilliamsBob
I REMAIN YOUR BOSOM FRIEND,

BEST REGARD,

MR HENRRY MARK

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam