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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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)
  • "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. )
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • charleskoku14@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "Mark Anthony" <markanthoni08@legwork.com.ng>
Reply-To: markanthoni2@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:11:46 +0900
Subject: CONTACT (PASTOR CHARLES)


Dear Friend,

How are you today? I am glad to inform you that I have
successfully concluded the transaction; the money has been transferred
to London through the assistant of Mr.Howard Ferraro who is a British
business man based in London. Currently I am in London with him.
However, I did not forget you, for your past effort, I gave all the
credit and thanks to you. I know it is not your fault or rather your
wish to back off on me and the transaction, I understand it was simply
because of some circumstances you could not control. In appreciate of
your assistance I have mapped out as a compensation and wrote on your

favour a certified bank Draft worth of $650,000.00(six hundred and fifty
thousand United States Dollar Only) I left the Draft with my Pastor
Mr.Charles Koku E-mail (charleskoku14@yahoo.co.uk),on my departure to
London. I would like you to contact him on this respect info and
instruct him where to send the Draft to you. As soon as you receive the
Draft you let me know because i am busy here trying to put things
together with my partner and may not be chanced to email you
frequently. Feel free to contact him for your Draft. I will stop here.
Once again, thank you very much and remain blessed.

You're blessed


Regards

Mr.Mark Anthony

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam