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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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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:
  • "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "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.
• 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.
  • williamgordon_20088@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "peter john" <peter.john70@ig.com.br>
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2008 22:50:12 +0100
Subject: MY DEAREST FRIEND,


MY DEAREST FRIEND,

WITH GREAT GRATITUDE TO YOUR EFFORTS, I AM INFORMING YOU THAT I HAVE FINALLY
SUCCEEDED IN TRANSFERRING THE FIFTEEN MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS TO THE
BANK IN ITALY,WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A PARAGUAY FRIEND, WHOM BASED ON
AGREEMENT,HE RECEIVED 25% OF THE ENTIRE MONEY FOR HIS FINANCIAL INVOLVEMENT
AND EFFORTS.

PRESENTLY I HAVE RELOCATED TO SOUTH KOREA, TO ESTABLISH THE ELECTRONIC
COMPANY PROJECTS WITH MY OWN SHARE AS I HAVE EARLIER PROPOSED.

NEVERTHELESS, I CANNOT FORGET YOU, ESPECIALLY YOUR HONEST EFFORTS, THOUGH
IT DID NOT YIELD POSITIVE FRUIT,BUT I STILL APPRECIATE IT, THANK YOU VERY
MUCH,

MEAN WHILE I HAVE A SUPRISE PACKAGE FOR YOU, NOW CONTACT MY SECRETARY IN MY
COUNTRY (BENIN REPUBLIC) HIS NAME IS WILLIAM GORDON,PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT
YOU CONTACT HIM DIRECT

EMAIL ADDRESS: (williamgordon_20088@hotmail.com), AND ASK HIM TO SEND YOU
THE TOTAL OF $800.000.00, US DOLLAR TO YOU WHICH I KEPT FOR YOUR
COMPENSATION,

I HAVE INSTRUCTED HIM TO DIRECT YOU ON HOW YOU WOULD RECEIVE THE SUM OF
EIGHT HUNDRED THOUNSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS IN A CASHIER CHEQUE WHICH I
SET OUT FOR YOUR COMPENSATION,

PLEASE I WANT YOU TO ACCEPT IT IN GOOD FAITH. I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL YOU
DID AND I PRAY THAT WE WOULD MEET SOMEDAY, BUT RIGHT NOW, I AM VERY BUSY IN
ESTABLISHING THE ELECTRONIC COMPANY PROJECTS,

SO FEEL FREE AND GET IN TOUCHED WITH WILLIAM GORDON,

I REMAIN YOUR BOSOM FRIEND,

BEST REGARD,
PETER JOHN

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam