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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)
  • "cheques " (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 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.
  • chinglee3@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "ching lee" <chinglee3@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: chinglee3@myway.com
Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2006 09:33:52 +0000
Subject: COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE URGENTLY NEEDED!!!

Dear Sir/Madam,

I represent ALPHA Import and Export Company based in China. My company
exports cocoa and other goods/services for world trade.

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

Most of our customer pay out in cheques and we do not have an account in
your country that will clear this money. It is upon this note that we seek
your assistance to stand as our representative in your country.

Note that, as our representative, you will receive 10% of whatever amount
you clear for the company and the balance will be paid into an account we
will avail to you.

Please, if you are interested in this business proposal, forward to us at my
personal email address (chinglee3@myway.com) the information below:

(1)Your full names,
(2)Contact address and,
(3)Phone/fax numbers.
Thank you for your time.

Very Respectfully,
Mr. Ching Lee,
President,
ALPHA Import/Export co.
Goods for Import/Export
Freight Fwdg. Svcs.

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam