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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:
  • "transfer of your funds" (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)
  • "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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:23:09 -0500
Subject: OFFICIAL DONATION GRANTED

=================================================
United Nations Association of the UK (UNA-UK)
C/O:WEBSTER DIXON ASSOCIATES
3 Whitehall Court
London
SW1A 2EL
Switchboard
=======================================================
 
Dear Client,
 
We have been awaiting your establishing contact with us as regards transfer of your funds amounting $1,000,000. 00 USD.
 
The United Nations Association of the UK (UNA-UK) working in Conjunction With The Economic Community For West African States And The European Union, who came to our chambers last week to hand your cheque to us.
 
The objective is to make a notable change in the standard of living of people all around the universe (from America to Europe, Asia to Africa and all around).
 
Based on the random selection exercise of internet websites and millions of supermarket cash invoices worldwide, you were selected among the lucky recipients to receive the award sum of $1,000,000.00 (One Million United States Dollars) As Charity Donations/aid from United Nations Association of the UK (UNA-UK), ECOWAS, and the EU in accordance with the enabling act of parliament. (Note that all beneficiaries email addresses were selected randomly from over 100,000 internet websites and shops cash invoice around your area in which you might have purchased something from).
 
They already made provision for our services and settled all bills of litigation. They did not specify when you shall be making contact and for a fact we expected you to have contacted us via e-mail to confirm our possessing your cheque.
 
All you need to do right now to proceed to collect your donation from the United Nations Association of the UK (UNA-UK) and then reconfirm your contact co-ordinates and get back to us immediately;
 
Full names:
Address:
State:
Zip:
Country:
Sex:
Age:
Occupation:
E-mail address:
Telephone number:
 
You are to send your response to Mrs. Monique Coates with the afore-requested details so that she can send to the UNA-UK a mail to the effect that you have made contact regarding the cheque they left for you and proceed with the necessary procedures regarding the claims of your donation.You are to send your response to the email below:
 
Email: websterdixon_associates@live.com
 
Regards,
Mrs. Monique Coates
United Nations Association of the UK (UNA-UK)
3 Whitehall Court
London
SW1A 2EL
 
 
DISCLAIMER: This message is for the designated recipient only and may contain privileged, proprietary, or otherwise private information. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the original. Any other use of this e-mail by you is prohibited.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam