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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.

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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
• This email message is a company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
• 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.
  • zhejiang_textile@telkom.net

Fraud email example:

From: "Zhejiang Textile Company" <zhejiang_textilecompany@msn.com>
Date: Sat, 01 Oct 2005 00:21:45 +0000
Subject: Representative Urgently Needed

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Mr lyn Chan ,we are a group of business men who deal on import and export textiles  materials into the canada,america and europe.

We are searching for representatives who can help us establish a medium of getting to our costumers in the canada, america and europe as well as making payments through you to us.Please if you are interested in transacting business with us we will be very glad. Please contact us for more information this contact below:

zhejiang_textile@telkom.net

 Subject to your satisfaction you will be given the opportunity to negotiate your mode of which we will pay for your services as our representative in canada,america and europe.

Regards,
Vice President
Mr lyn Chan

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam