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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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. )
• This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!

Fraud email example:

From: Malaysia Lottery International <sarahjonathan2008@verizon.net>
Reply-To: asiapacificcourier@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 09:13:47 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Claims approved Contact the courier company for your winnings of 2.5 million usd


MALAYSIAN NATIONAL LOTTERY.
3420 PERSIARAN SEPANG 63000
CYBERJAYA SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN
MALAYSIA.
Ref: MY/9420X2/68
Batch: 074/05/ZY369

Dear Winner,
GRATULATIONS!This is to inform you that you have been cleared a winner of the MALAYSIAN NATIONAL LOTTERY .
I am happy to inform you that, your Original Certificate of 2.5 million usd and your Certified bank cheque has been forwarded to the courier company.Find below the details of the courier company.

WINNING ORDER NUMBER:DMY/9420X2/68
Asia Pacific Courier International
Mr.Andy Jerry
TEL:+60196722041
EMAIL: asiapacificcourier@verizon.net
Do note that you will be responsible for all costs incurred in mailing your winning package to you.For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claim is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize. This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program. Please be
warned !!!

Note: you are to Quote your complete names, and your direct phone number so that they can honour your letter.Once again i say congratulations and always inform me with your dealings with the courier company.
NOTE THAT YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL COSTS IN MAILING YOUR CHEQUE TO YOU DO NOT CONTACT THE COURIER COMPANY IF YOU ARE NOT READY TO PAY THE COURIER FEE.
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Sarah Jonathan
Lottery International

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam