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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "million us 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)
• 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!
• 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.
  • ikobogrant.notification@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "iKobo Incorporation" <info@ikobo.org>
Reply-To: ikobogrant.notification@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:57:39 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: IKOBO GRANT NOTIFICATION (IKB/UK/R2F01)




OUR REF: IKB/UK/R2F01
YOUR REF:

iKobo is a company that specializes in money transfers. With them, you can
send money to any one with your MasterCard or visa. The recipient gets
your transfer put onto a secured Visa debit card which can be used
worldwide at ATM locations for cash withdrawals. This debit card, which is
reusable, is shipped to the recipient first.

As part of our commitment in bringing our services to the world to the
world, I wish to announce to you that your email emerged as one of the
lucky winners to receive a grant of 1.5 Million US Dollars in the 2009
promotional package. This fund has been made available to you through an
iKobo Visa card, and it is now on the way to the post authority in your
country. Upon delivery, you are required to proceed to your nearest post
office to pick the parcel containing the card.

You can track the current status via the website: www.iship.com
TRACKING NUMBER
EC932373096US

Your email address was among those chosen and you are to contact our
Promotions' Manager for Clearance.

Here is the contact information:
Promotion Manager:
Mr. Scott Wilshere
Tel:{+44} 702 4016 843
Email: ikobogrant.notification@gmail.com

Please you are to send us your delivery details which would be needed at
the pickup location:

FULL NAME:
DELIVERY ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER:
COUNTRY:
OCCUPATION:
MARITAL STATUS:
SEX:
AGE:

Please note Due to the kind and worth of your package, You are to
immediately refund the Delivery/VAT charges
of 220GBP immediately so as to avoid cancellation of the delivery.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best Regards
MRS. CINDY HOWARD
Copyright C 2001-2009 iKobo, Inc.
https://www.ikobo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam