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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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:
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "your payment is being processed" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • michael_anthony002@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "john williams" <johnwilliams04114@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: michael_anthony002@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2006 03:07:10 +0100
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT

RE: NOTIFICATION

Dear Winner

We Apologise, for the delay of your payment and all the Inconveniences and
Inflict that we might have indulge you through. However, we were having some
minor problems with our payment system, which is inexplicable, and have held
us stranded and Indolent, not having the aspiration to devote our 100%
assiduity in accrediting foreign payments.

We apologise once again, from the records of outstanding winners due for
payment with {Euro lottery award 2006}your name and particular was
discovered as next on the list of the outstanding winners who have not yet
received their payments. I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now
in square whole and can be voguish for that your payment is being processed
and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter.

Also note that from our record in our file, your outstanding winning payment
is US$950,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand, United States Dollars)
Payment will be made to you in a certified bank draft or wire transfer into
a nominated bank account of your choice, as soon as you get in touched with
our registered claim agent, MR. Michael Anthony, E-mail:
michael_anthony002@yahoo.com provide him with the following details, as this
will enable him to process and release of your cash prize without any delay.

1) Your full name, address.
2) Phone, fax.
3) Company name, position.
4) Profession, age and marital status.

Be informed that the appointed agent will be required to swear affidavits of
lotto claim on your behalf. Upon reply to this mail, please reply through
this email address: michael_anthony002@yahoo.com

Yours Sincerely,
Mr. John Williams
Lottery coordinator

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam