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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "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. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "david larry" <davidlarry11@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrpatrick_james@live.fr
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:37:14 +0200
Subject: Hello My Dear


Hello My Dear,

I have Paid the fee for your Cheque Draft.but the manager of Eko Bank Benin
told me that before the check will get to you that it will expire.So i told
him to cash $1.5million
all the necessary arrangement of delivering the $1.5million in cash was made
with GLOBAL EXPRESS COURIER COMPANY.

This in the information they need to delivery your package to you.

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, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you
immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .This is what they
need from you.

Please send it to the Director general of Global Express Courier Company
Dr,PATRICK JAMES with the address given to you
EMAIL: (mrpatrick_james@live.fr)

.
Note. The Global Express courier company don't know the contents of the Box.
I registered it as a Box of an Africa cloths. They don't know it contents
money. this is to avoid them delaying with the Box. don't let them know that
is money that is in that Box.I am waiting for your urgent response.

Thanks and Remain Blessed
Dr.David Larry

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam