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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:

• 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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "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.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +2347084501007
• 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.
  • amakalawchamberss@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Fred James" <drfredjame12@ig.com.br>
Reply-To: amakalawchamberss@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 03:16:04 -0700
Subject: SUBJECT MATTER: SINCERE COMPENSATION


SUBJECT MATTER: SINCERE COMPENSATION

You might find it so difficult to remember me. Though, it is indeed, a very
long time. On my singular, I am much delighted and privileged to contact you
again after some couple of weeks gone. It takes fate, courage and God's
fearing to remember old friends and at the same time, to show gratification
to them, despite circumstances that made things, not worked out as we
projected then.

I take this liberty to inform you that, the transaction we were pursing
together (US$15.5Million), finally worked out by God's infinite mercy and I
decided to contact you, just to let you know. I have conscience as a human
being, due to your tremendious effort and contribution to make things work
out in retrospect.

Meanwhile, I must inform you that, I am presently in Luxemburg for numerous
business negotiations and establishment. I just arrived yesterday night and
checked in, in a hotel and decided to go down to the hotel business centre
to mail you. Now, with my sincere heart, I have raised and signed an
International Cashier's Bank Draft, to the tune of USD$1,350,000 (One
Million Three Hundred And Fifty Thousand Us Dollars) only in your name as
compensation to your dedication, humanity and contribution, as it were.

Please contact now my personal Lawyer, He is in the name of :

Barrister Amaka James
Amaka Law Chambers
#23 lance lane,Victoria Island,
Lagos Nigeria.
Phone: 01-774-1891
Phone Number: +2347084501007
Email: amakalawchamberss@yahoo.com

I told him everything about this payment, At the moment, I'm very busy here
because of the investment projects which I and my new partner are having at
hand in Luxemburg. Finally, remember that I have forwarded instruction to
the Lawyer on your behalf to send the bank cheque to you as soon as you
contact him without delay.

Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from
the bottom of my heart. Thanks and God bless you and your family.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Your brother
Dr. Fred James

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam