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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
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• 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned 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: "joseph richard" <josephrichard87@ig.com.br>
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:58:37 +0200
Subject: Dear Friend,


*Dear Friend, *

*It is my pleasure to let you know about my success in getting those funds
transffered under the cooperation of a new partner from Greece.I didn't
forget your past efforts to assist me in transffering those funds. *

*So,contact my secretary in Cotonou Benin de Republic: *

*NAME: MR.EZE ODOBRA
EMAIL: **odobra@live.fr*<http://us.mc638.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=odobra@live.fr>
*
LEGAL PRACTITIONER &
PUBLIC NOTARY REPRESENTATIVE,
SUITE 105 MDOMI PLAZA,
LOM-NAVA,AKPAKPA COTONOU BENIN DE REPUBLIC. *

*Ask him to send you the total sum of 1.2M USD in a certified bank draft
which I raise for your compensation .So feel free and get intouched with him
and give him your address where to send you your bank draft.*

*HERE IS THE INFORMATIONS,YOU WILL GIVE HIM TO ENABLE HIM TO SEND YOU YOUR
CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT:*

*1.YOUR FULL NAME.................
2.YOUR HOME OR OFFICE ADDRESS WHERE YOU WANT TO RECEIVE YOUR BANK
DRAFT....................
3.YOUR PHONE NUMBER......................................*

*Again,Let me know immediately you receive it for us to share the joy. I'm
very busy here with my investment projects which I am having at hand now,
Finally, I left instruction to my secretary on your behalf,so feel free to
get intouch with him. *

*Best regards, *

*Dr,Joseph Richard *

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam