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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:

• 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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• 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.
  • melrise_uk@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "harrison molt" <melrise_intltd@msn.com>
Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2006 13:37:30 +0000
Subject: Representative Needed

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Mr.Harrison Molt,managing director of Melrise
International Ltd UK. we are a group of business men
who deal on machinery and export into the Canada/ America
and Europe.

We are searching for representatives who can help us
establish a medium of getting to our customers in the
canada/America and Europe as well as making payments
through you (as our payment officer) to us.

Please if you are interested in transacting business
with us, we will be very glad. Subject to your
satisfaction you will be given the opportunity to
negotiate your mode of which we will pay you for your
services as our representative in Canada/America and
Europe.

Note, there is no financial obligation required from you,
and this transaction is 100% risk free.If this proposal is
accepted by you, A swift acknowledgement on the receipt of
this mail will be appreciated, furnishing me with your

(1) Your full names,
(2) Age and Sex
(3) Contact address and, Phone/fax numbers.

Please Reply me through this email address:
Official Email: melrise_uk@yahoo.co.uk

Thank you for your time and anticipated cooperation.
Respectfully Yours,

Mr.Harrison Molt.
MANAGING DIRECTOR
MELRISE INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam