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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• 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.
  • debt_rec@universia.com.br (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: <ocp_kevinwilliams@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2007 18:44:19 -0500
Subject: RE:FUND RELEASE NOTICE

FROM THE DESK OF:
HEAD OF PAYMENT DEPT:
Rev. James Williams

RE:FUND RELEASE NOTICE.

Dear Winner

We Apologies, 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 apologies once again from the Records of outstanding winners due for
payment with {ONLINE CYBER PROMOTION}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 hole and
can
b e 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 the
record in our file, your outstanding winning payment is US$950.215.00
(NINE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND,TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN DOLLARS).

Be inform 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.

Mr.Mike James
E-mail: debt_rec@universia.com.br

Provide him with the following details, as this will enable him to
process
and release of your cash prize without any delay.

Your Full
Name:............................................................

Telephone and fax
Numbers:.................................................

Residental Address:......
................................................

Your urgent reply Mr.Mike James via e-mail: { debt_rec@universia.com.br}
will
effect the speedy release of your cash prize to you within 48hours.

Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Jane Philips
Vice President.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam