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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:
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "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)
• 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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447023055369 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
  • +447023055384 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • gmcsc@post.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • agentsmithbrown@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: "HONDA CAR COMPANY" <hondaonlinepromotion@msn.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 13:02:01 +0000
Subject: APPROVED FOR CLAIMS : Contact Courier Company

  

HONDA COMPANY UK,
An Affiliate of

Honda Uk,
28 TANFIELD ROAD,
CROYDON,  

LONDON.

 

 

Dear  Bobbie A Highes,

 

I wish to inform you that you have cleared and approved from the

HONDA UK COMPANY to recieve your winning package and your

notarized and legalized Certificate of Winning,Certified Bank

Cheque and other relevant documents are ready after the due process

has been finalized with the appropriate Ministry/Agencies.

 

We have forwarded these highly sensitive documents to a tested and
trusted Courier Agency.You are hereby instructed to contact
them with your verification form and engage their services to courier

them to you. Your Security Order number is GM/CE/0007.State this

Order Number correctly as your subject while contacting them via

E-mail through the details below:

 

GLOBAL MAX COURIER/SHIPPING EXPRESS
OFFICER: Mr.  Dam Lavier
E-MAIL:gmcsc@post.com
PHONE:+44 702 305 5369

 
Reference Copies of your certified Cheque and other relevant documents
are not attached herewith for the sake of security because
they are highly sensitive documents.

 

Note that I am not your Claims Agent and in case there is any problem,
let him know immediately and he will likewise be contacting you to know the
status quo. Find his contact details below:

 

Name : Dr Smith Brown

Email : agentsmithbrown@myway.com

Phone : +44 702 305 5384

 

We advise that you co-operate with them immensely so that all details
that will ensure the successful delivery of your winnings will go without
any hitch within this week.

 

N.B : You will liable for the courier charges required by the courier company for the delivery process to be complete. 

Once again, Congratulations.

Regards,

Mrs Lisa Farrah,

Honda Car Lottery Co-ordinator.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam